By Stella Omona
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, Friday outlined key initiatives aimed at accelerating economic growth and job creation in Nigeria, stating that efforts so far put in place has secured $30 billion Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
She added that already, $14m investment has been secured from India, while Oil and gas investments valued $10 billion is already committed.
Drawing on the axioms of the Renewed Hope Eight-point Agenda of the President Bola Tinubu administration: economic growth and job creation, access to capital, improved business environment, and poverty reduction, etc, she highlighted several strategic programs underway at the Ministry to make life more meaningful for Nigerians.
According to her, five million jobs had been created in the oil and gas and fee zone alone, while Coca-Cola and Unilever have made commitments to remain and deepen their investments in Nigeria.
“We have also established the Diaspora Investment Initiative in liaison with Nigeriains in the Diaspora Commission.
“On this score alone, we have secured $220 billion capacity to invest in small scale investments to take the first slot for either foreign or local investors. “This will create a lot of jobs when they take off and we are creating Job Centers in Abuja and all states in the Federation.
“So far, we have asked industries to list their job opportunities so that we publish it to enable our youths apply and also ensure the selection processes are transparent”.
Uzoka-Anite stated that to make Nigerian workers gain international value and recognition, Artisan Licensing and Certification Scheme would soon take off whereby artisans who don’t want to work for anybody can be certified to perform their jobs.
“This will will not only give them room for both local and foreign employment but guarantee the quality job from those artisans. The reason is to make our youths employable.
“We are signing an MOU with the German Government and City and Guild of London so that those certified can be hired to work anywhere in the world.
“We are also embarking on National Talent Export Programme to provide job vacancies advertised by the UNIDO and other international agencies. With this, we can seize the opportunity of Global Freelancing Opportunities and make jobs available for our youths”.
Speaking on ease of doing business, the minister disclosed that the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) had been mandated to start 24-hours online registration of businesses so that business registration would no longer constitute a hog.
“Government has also set up Trade Facilitation Committee to reduce the number of screening and checkpoints for import and export.
“Henceforth, before companies are given export permit, such companies must retire their forex receipts before we give them another permit.
“Right now, we are working to see that everything exported are repatriated to the country. These have to be verified with the CBN through automated process to ensure speed, transparency and audit.
“The Nigerian Commodity Exchange has been revived to remove the uncertainty of buying and selling between farmers and consumers. This exchange incorporates the entire value chain to ensure that what is produced in the farms will not perish by preserving produce in controlled warehouses.
“These initiatives will be taking place before end of the third quarter of this year,” she stressed.
Commenting on questions posed regarding the non-performance of privatised and commercialised public corporations, the Minister said the problems are being critically analysed with the view to resolving them.
Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Dr. Mohammed Idris Malagi, who is the host of the press conference, emphasized his Ministry’s commitment to transparency and access to information, highlighting the crucial role journalists play in informing the public.
He reiterated the series’ commitment to ensuring wide coverage through traditional and digital platforms.
“We understand the need for patience and trust,” added Idris, “but we are committed to realizing the President’s vision of Renewed Hope. We will keep you informed every step of the way”, he said.
