Rep introduces motion to stanch 33% unemployment rate
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Chinedu Martins, a member of the House of Representatives, has moved a motion to help stem unemployment rate now at 33.3 per cent, with the youth joblessness at 28 per cent or 11 million.
He argues that unemployment is the root of social vices, noting the lack of cottage industries across the country to engage youthful energy positively in the production of raw materials and semi-finished products.
In his view, cottage industries will help wean young people away from social vices they currently see as the only option for survival and social mobility.
The motion adds:
There is need for a comprehensive industrial revolution, intervention at this point in the history of our nation, given the recent developments in the political, social and economic spheres of the country which – emphasise the fact that youths are important stakeholders in the Nigerian project;
The predominance of industrial clusters in South East Asian countries has motivated industrial growth in the form of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and massive decline in unemployment, making a way for stability in the economy, political leadership and lower crime rates as a result of their remarkable success in industrialisation;
A similar strategy of building cottage industries has worked agreeably in some African countries like Rwanda, Mozambique, Ghana and South Africa, an indication that grassroots industrialisation produces an array of positive economic and social impacts;
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Harnessing human capital
Nigeria is yet to positively harness the human capital resources accruing from its youthful population through the creation of industrial clusters to engage the youths;
It has become imperative for government to re-strategise by establishing industries in the 360 federal constituencies, which would play a critical role in curbing the unemployment problems and boost Gross Domestic Product;
Such an Industrial Revolution Scheme, if implemented and sustained, will entrench the culture of hard work and regrow moral values lost in the wake of cybercrime, human trafficking, kidnapping and drug consumption;
Siting industries in the 360 federal constituencies will facilitate federal presence at the grassroots and positively impact lives of rural dwellers through employment, infrastructural development;
There is need for a comprehensive industrialisation scheme targeting both extractive and manufacturing stages as well as the processing of agricultural produce into semi-finished products for internal consumption and possible export;
It is important to establish cottage industries based on needs assessment and viability in the 360 federal constituencies to combat unemployment and drive grassroots industrial growth.
The motion resolves to:
- Urge the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to urgently develop a comprehensive template for the establishment of industries across the federation;
- Mandate the committees on Industry and Commerce to ensure compliance