NECA Decries Jobs Board Exclusion

The Nigeria Employers
Consultative Association (NECA) has decried  the exclusion of the real  private sector from the  composition  of the presidential jobs board inaugurated by President Goodluck  Jonathan on Wednesday, the board which is chaired  by vice president,  Namadi Sambo, is saddled with the responsibility of creating three million jobs in the next one year.
Other members of the board are, Secretary to the Government  of the Federation (SGF), Anyim, Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, Minister of  Trade and Investment , Mr. Olusegun Aganga, Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu, Minister of Agriculture and  Rural Development, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of Solid Minerals,  Musa Sada.
Minister Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Education, Mr. Ibrahim Shekarau, and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Godwin Emefiele  among other ministers as members.
The umbrella body for the private  section  employers, while commending the President, said  it would  address the huge unemployment rate in the country.
A statement issued by the Director General of NECA, Mr. Olusegun  Oshinowo, however, observed  that the real private sector which represents the grassroots  enterprises and entrepreneur are often excluded in the composition of such committees.
According to the NECA, often times, government equates  successful  entrepreneur  to the face and  representation of the private section.
He said the private   sector has formidable institutions  such as NECA Manufactures Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), National  Association of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (NASME) and National  Association of Small Scale industries (NASSI) which represents grassroots enterprises and entrepreneurs.
He explained that private institutions are  better placed and positioned to work with the government in creating  sustainable jobs.
“This is a welcome development that would and in addressing  the time bomb  of high “employment among  our youths, currently put 80 per cent by the CBN in June, 2014. We hope that this initiative  will not go the way of others, whose outcomes were never  known  to the public  or implemented for the benefits of the country. Jobs are key to the reduction of poverty enhancement of security and sustainable  economic  growth.
“We, however, wish to note that the  composition of the board, unfortunately  does not include  the real sector in Nigeria private.