Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Ismaila Abubakar has said that if properly funded, the ministry would surpass the litter effort currently making to provide employment opportunity for Nigerians
Speaking during an audience with the executive of Labour Correspondents Association of Nigeria (LACAN), the permanent Secretary assured that his ministry despite that is doing her best to implement the current administration 8 points Agenda
According to him, the Ministry is poised to make greater impact in the lives of Nigerians through the renewed hope Agenda of the President Tinubu administration which is committed to ensuring that employment opportunities are created for the unemployed Nigerians.
He said the Ministry is geared to go beyond conciliation of industrial crisis between the Federal Government and labour unions to playing a bigger role in enhancing the growth of the economy.
He added that will take centre stage of the Labour Ministry’s duties going forward.
The Labour Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, hinted that the recently lunched programme Labour Employment and Empowerment Program (LEEP), is one of the innovative ideas initiated by the Minister Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, targeting to develop various employability skills for young graduates, school leavers and artisans amongst others.
He however said that poor budgetary allocation is a major constraint that would impede the Ministry’s efforts if the trend is not reserved.
He gave an instance, said; “at the moment, our skill acquisition centres across the country are all dilapidated and in need of major facelift. These centres are the hub for training young and old Nigerians on agro allied value chain development, information communication technology, crafts, entrepreneurship and other critical skills that will advance their fortunes in life. With the sort of allocations received by the ministry, it is difficult and almost impossible to revive these centres.”
He further urge the Media to beam light on the challenges facing the Ministry. More so, he noted that Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha is relentlessly pushing for an enhanced budgetary allocation to the Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary, charged the journalists not to hesitate to advise the ministry on specific areas that officials might not be getting it right in terms of planning and coordination, adding that the growth and advancement of the country will benefit all Nigerians.
Earlier in his remark, Acting Chairman of the Labour Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Abulu Patrick, said the visit was
to familiarise with him and smoothing a working relationship in the interest and promotion of socioeconomic development of Nigerians.
