Government rallies OPS to implement diversification agenda, create jobs

Worried by the slow pace in implementing the diversification agenda as well as in creating jobs for teeming unemployed youths, the Federal Government has rallied members of the Organised Private Sector (OPS) to support its cause in revamping the economy.

According to the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Okechukwu Enelamah, the absence of an enabling environment has become a deterrent to entrepreneurship development, as there are little or no employers to provide employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the nation.

Enelamah stated that Nigeria’s quest for economic ‎diversification, inclusive growth, job creation and an invulnerable economy will not be achievable without the OPS, noting that the private sector is the most important ally to take Nigeria out of its present economic woes.

He maintained that‎ any wise government must create an enabling environment for private sectors to thrive, saying that the presidential council on ease of doing business will help to identify the bottlenecks hindering the growth of businesses in the country and also give the private sectors the desired support to attract both local and foreign investments.

Enelamah during an interactive session organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( LCCI), said: “‎One of the most important objectives we have as a government is to partner with the private sector and private capital to realise the goals and ambitions of government, because those goals wither all kinds of shocks, but to achieve this, the most important ally to the federal government is the private sector.
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“They are the ones that would ensure Nigeria achieves economic diversification, industrialise, trade and invest both locally and internationally. A wise government must focus on creating an enabling environment for the private sectors. Singapore has been able to transform its economy by attracting investments and creating a hub where people are happy to do business.‎ Nigeria can do the same to achieve the same feat.”
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He however stated that the lack of an enabling environment is a deterrent to entrepreneurship development, saying that entrepreneurship is the heart of economic activities especially in a country like Nigeria where there are little or no employers to provide employment opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths in the nation.
‎”We must encourage entrepreneurial activity where people do things and in so doing become employers of labour rather being job seekers,” he added.
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“Our ministry should be considered as a ministry of enabling environment for industry trade and investment. When I joined this government, I made a commitment to say if I do not work on anything else, I will work on enabling environment for businesses. The government owes the business community a duty to give the business community an environment in which they can thrive, so that all the bottlenecks that hinder businesses will be addressed.

Without an enabling environment, the government suffers because we do not get the kind of growth or revenue to work with and certainly our stakeholders also suffer, because it takes longer to do things and it is even a deterrent to entrepreneurship.” he added.
He commended ‎the LCCI for its successful ongoing international trade fair, pointing out the chamber is one of the most important chamber in the country playing a vital role in the government’s quest for economic diversification.