195,534 jobs created through contracts in 2012 –FG

Minister of Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga
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The Federal Government generated a total of 195,534 jobs through the various contracts awarded by the Federal Executive Council in 2012.

The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

Maku addressed journalists alongside the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Muhammed.

He said the figure formed part of the report presented to the council by the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chief Emeka Wogu, on the performance and challenges of his ministry in 2012.

“In 2012, the Federal Government generated 195,534 new jobs from the various contracts awarded by the Federal Executive Council. It is the practice that ministers must say how many jobs they will create through contracts before they are approved by the council,” Maku said.

The minister added that during the year under review, 212 cases of industrial disputes were referred to the Ministry of Labour and Productivity for arbitration.

Out of the number, Maku said 174 cases were resolved, 25 went for arbitration, while efforts aimed at resolving 114 cases were still ongoing.

He said Wogu introduced proactive engagements with labour unions to avoid trade disputes that could lead to economic loss for the government.

Maku added that the labour ministry also engaged in the training of workers and labour leaders to create skills needed for amicable resolution of conflicts.

He identified inadequate funding as one of the many challenges facing the ministry.

Muhammed, who also presented his ministry’s report to the council, told journalists that the Federal Capital Territory Administration was indebted to contractors and others to the tune of N420bn over the years.

He said finance had remained the major problem facing the administration.

The minister said he was already working with the Ministry of Finance on how the FCTA could float bonds after establishing a sound framework so that the debts could be paid.

He said it was because of the paucity of funds that his ministry was leveraging on Public-Private Partnership.

Muhammed added that efforts were underway to concession the Airport and Kubwa roads to private investors.

He said, “We have challenges of finance but we have developed a robust business plan. We are heavily indebted to the tune of N420bn. That is why we are leveraging on PPP. Eight districts will be developed through land swap.

“I have craved the indulgence of the Coordinating Minister for the Economy and she has agreed and council has noted our recommendation to float an FCT development fund.”