Ocholi cautions Resident Doctors against strikes
THE re-introduction of labour centre across the country will link unemployed persons with available jobs and reduce the pangs of unemployment in the country, the Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole has said.

Speaking in Abuja during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige and Minister of state, James Ocholi, Oshiomhole ‎pointed at lack of accurate data on employment situation in the country as a formidable contributory factor to the growing unemployment.

The Edo governor said labour centres at the local government level will serve as a data collection centres of unemployment persons and also as a policy guide for the development of appropriate policy to curb the menace.

He highlighted that Ministry of Labour and Employment, which is key to President Buhari government should be properly utilise to drive the government agenda in the improvement of the welfare of the Nigerians citizens.
“The labour centres will give opportunity to those who registered to acquire training and also enrol in one form of apprenticeship or the other. The centres will also give employers the opportunity to carry out regular trade test, do proper grading of skilled and semi-skilled test among others. This is one area we have neglected over the years and given to the present circumstance, we need to establish these centres,’’ he said.

The Governor who is a former President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) said government can plan properly if all employers of labour disclose how many vacancies exist, or how many workers they want to sack‎ in their establishments.

He also described as unacceptable for foreigners to come to Nigeria in the name of expatriate quotas to do jobs Nigerians can do.
“As you go round the country you will find unskilled expatriate doing the job unskilled Nigerians can do, I believe that this is unacceptable. I want to urge you to liaise with your counterpart in the Internal Affairs Ministry to revisit the process of issuance of expatriate quotas”. The governor stated.

Responding, Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, said the Ministry has organogram that can absorb all the challenges, ranging from occupational health and safety, social safety net and others.

The Ministry of Labour and Employment has capable departments to promote good labour administration, promote decent jobs for unemployed Nigerians and provide occupational safety and health protection services. We are determined to turn things around and ensure that the Ministry perform its primary role as the focal agency of government in charge of employment generation as well as ensure workers safety and health at work places,” the Minister explained.

On his part, Minister of State, Mr. James Ocholi SAN, added that the present administration will leave no stone unturned in order to ensure that the scourge of unemployment is reduced to its barest minimum. He emphasized that the Ministry is well positioned to champion the fight against unemployment.

Meanwhile, the Minister of State Labour and Employment, James Ocholi (SAN), has called on Resident Doctors to support the Federal Government’s efforts at ensuring industrial peace and harmony reign in the health sector.

The Minister stated this in Abuja when he received an award of Ambassador of Conscience and Notary Personality from the Association of Resident Doctors FCT chapter in his office. He stated that the award would spur him to further contribute to the welfare of Nigerian workforce.

Speaking further, Ocholi reiterated the commitment of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to the promotion of decent employment and enhancement of welfare of the Nigerian workers.
Earlier in his remarks, the President of the Association of Resident Doctors of Nigeria FCT chapter, Dr. Isaac Olubanjo Akere eulogised the Minister’s contributions to humanity, describing his appointment as a step in the right direction.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing him as a Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria hoping that he will bring his wealth of experience in humanitarian services, especially in the legal profession to bear in discharge of his responsibility as a Minister in the labour sector.