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RSG Creates 100,000 Jobs In Three Years …Plans 2,000 Hectare Juice Factory
Not fewer than 100,000 jobs have been created by the Chief Nyesom Wike-led administration in the past three years.
The jobs, according to the governor who spoke through Administrator, Greater Port Harcourt City Development Agency,Ambassador Desmond Akawor at the first State Employers Forum was driven by the various construction projects carried out by the government.
Wike who tagged the employment policy framework of his government as CAT- Construction, Agriculture and Tourism said the other core area of agriculture is already in full gear.
He disclosed that plans have begun with a new MoU with a South African firm to cultivate 2,000 hectares of land in Odagwa, Etche for the production of fruit and vegetable juice.
Also, he stated that the government has approved expansion of former Risonpalm now Siat plant to engage more youths.
Wike added, “the other aspect is tourism and we are working towards ensuring that our natural resources are used to empower our people.”
The governor further said, “ the time has come to create employment, but for us, the most important thing is to create the environment for jobs to come. To ensure that the issue of security is key.”
Earlier, Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Leloonu Nwibubasa said an Employment Trust Fund that will be private sector driven will be established to provide foundation for new employment policy.
Dr. Nwibubasa said corporats bodies have a key role to play to drive the employment agenda of the government.
In order to sustain the vision, he hinted that a quarterly employment roundtable will be held in the state.
Also, plans have reached advanced stages for a 2,000 juice factory at Odagwa in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The factory is owned by a South African firm, which recently entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rivers State Government to convert the huge fruit and vegetable products in the area for commercial purpose.
The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, while speaking at the maiden edition of the Rivers State Employers Roundtable organized by the Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment in Port Harcourt yesterday, emphasized that agriculture remains key focus of the administration to create job.
Represented at the event by Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority (GPCDA), Ambassador Desmond Akawor, the governor explained that the juice factory would further consolidate gains made with former Risonpalm now Slat in employment generation through agriculture.
The governor who tagged his employment generation policy as CAT-Construction, Agriculture and Tourism, said the government is on the last pap, noting that soon tourism will be fully exploited.
He said, “the issue of employment generation is key to this administration. If you don’t talk it, employment will talk about you.”
Nike said though it was not the business of government to create jobs, the major focus of his administration was to create the enabling environment for job creation.
On the issue of security, he remarked, “just two days ago about 3,000 youths were engaged by the state by Neighbourhood and Safety Corps, that to us is key in improving security and creating jobs for our people.”
The governor charged participants and organizers of the forum to ensure that the outcome of the event yield fruits, insisting that it should go beyond talk to action.
He suggested that action programme on employment generation should cover both gradates and retired personnel so that no group is left to waste in the labour market.
The Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has assured the commitment of Rivers State government to workers’s welfare and industrial harmony in Rivers State.
The Sole Administrator gave the assurance after meeting with leadership of organized labour unions at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Ibas reaffirmed government’s policy of prompt payment of salaries and pensions to workers and retirees, stating that all local government employees are not receiving the approved minimum wage.
He disclosed that approval has been given for payment of newly employed staff at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital and the Judiciary, while medical workers in Local Government Areas will now receive correct wages.
Ibas explained that, Government is reviewing implementation challenges of the Contributory Pension Scheme ahead of the July 2025 deadline, adding that Intervention buses have been reintroduced to ease workers’ transportation ,with plans to expand the fleet.
He said specialized leadership training for top civil servants will commence within two weeks, while due consideration is being given to implementing the N32,000 consequential adjustment for pensioners and clearing outstanding gratuities.
Ibas commended Rivers State workers for their dedication to service and called for sustained partnership with labour unions to maintain industrial peace.
“This administration recognizes workers as critical partners in development. We remain committed to addressing your legitimate concerns within available resources,” he stated.
The State NLC Chairman, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, thanked the Administrator for the steps taken so far with regard to workers welfare while appreciating his disposition towards alleviating the transportation problem faced by workers.
He also expressed appreciation for the government’s openness to dialogue and pledged continued cooperation towards achieving mutual goals.
The Rivers State Government assured all workers of its unwavering commitment to their welfare and called for continued dedication to service delivery for the collective progress of our dear State.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Rivers Council, has called for policies that will improve the economic situation of the country in order to ensure enhanced living standard for workers.
The State Chairman, Mr Alex Agwanwor, made the remark on behalf of the unions affiliated to Labour Congress during the 2025 workers day celebration in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Agwanwor highlighted the demands of the Unions which included the immediate payment of pension arrears, implementation of the N32,000 minimum wage for pensioners, and payment of gratuities and death benefits without further delay.
“We are calling for the regulation and protection of e-hailing drivers, implementation of increments and promotions, and resolution of long-standing issues in the polytechnic sector,” he said.
Agwanwor on behalf of the unions appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reinstate the democratically elected Governor, Deputy Governor, and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He stressed the importance of democratic governance and good working relationship with elected representatives.
According to him, the unions expressed disappointment over the imposition of taxes, increase in electricity tariff, and high cost of goods and services, which have further worsened the plight of workers.
“We urge the federal government to take measures to alleviate the suffering of citizens,” he said.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima says President Bola Tinubu is committed to unlocking Nigeria’s full potential and position the country as a leading force on the African continent.
Shettima stated this when he hosted a delegation from the Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, led by its Senior Fellow, Dr Rolf Alter, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja last Wednesday.
He said Nigeria was actively seeking expertise from the global best institutions to enhance policy formulation and implementation, particularly in human capital development.
The Vice-President noted that President Tinubu was determined to elevate Nigeria to its rightful position as a leading force in Africa.
“The current crop of leadership in Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is ready and willing to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian nation on the African continent.
” We are laying the groundwork through strategic reforms, and at the heart of it, is human capital development.”
He described the Hertie School as a valuable partner in the journey.
According to him, Hertie School of Governance, Berlin, has track record and institutional knowledge to add value to our policy formulation and delivery, especially in this disruptive age.
Shettima reiterated the government’s priority on upskilling Nigerians, saying ” skills are very important, and with our Human Capital Development (HCD) 2.0 programme.
“We are in a position to unleash the full potential of the Nigerian people by enhancing their capital skills.”
The Vice-President acknowledged the vital support of international development partners in that effort.
” I want to thank the World Bank, the European Union, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and all our partners in that drive to add value to the Nigerian nation,” he maintained.
The Vice-President said human capital development was both an economic imperative and a social necessity.
Shettima assured the delegation of the government’s readiness to deepen cooperation.
” We need the skills and the capacity from your school. The world is now knowledge-driven.
“I wish to implore you to have a very warm and robust partnership with the government and people of Nigeria.”
Shettima further explained recent economic decisions of the government, including fuel subsidy removal and foreign exchange reforms.
“The removal of fuel subsidy, the unification of the exchange rate regime and the revolution in the energy sector are all painful processes, but at the end of the day, the Nigerian people will laugh last.
“President Tinubu is a very modern leader who is willing to take far-reaching, courageous decisions to reposition the Nigerian economy,” he added.
Earlier, Alter, congratulated the Tinubu administration for the successful launch and implementation of the Human Capital Development (HCD) strategy.
The group leader described the development as ambitious and targeted towards the improvement of the lives of the citizens.
He expressed satisfaction with the outcome of his engagements since arriving in the country.
He applauded the zeal, commitment, energy and goodwill observed among stakeholders in the implementation of Nigeria’s HCD programme.
Alter said the Hertie School of Governance would work closely with authorities in Nigeria across different levels to deliver programmes specifically designed to address the unique needs of the country.
He, however, stressed the need for government officials at different levels to be agile and amenable to the dynamics of the evolving world, particularly as Nigeria attempted to successfully accelerate its human capital development aspirations.