In a bid to tackle the high level of unemployment in the country, the House of Representatives has urged the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to urgently develop a comprehensive template for the establishment of industries across the country.
The House mandated its Committees on Industry and Commerce to ensure compliance
These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion on the “Urgent Need to Combat Unemployment and Social Vices through Establishment of Industries Across the Federation” moved by Hon. Chinedu Emeka Martins.
The House said that the unprecedented rate of unemployment is the root of the social vices currently experienced in the country.
The House said the 33.3% unemployment and the 28% youth unemployment rates amounting to over 11 million unemployed youths, verify the lack of cottage industries in the country, which should have played a critical role in engaging youthful energy positively in the production of raw materials as well as semi–finished products.
It said such industries distract young people from taking up social vices as the only alternative for survival and social mobility.
The House said it was cognizant of the need for a comprehensive industrial revolution intervention at this point in the history of the nation, given the recent developments in the political, social and economic spheres of the country which emphasizes the fact that youths are important stakeholders in the Nigerian project.
It said it was aware that the predominance of industrial clusters in South East Asian countries has motivated industrial growth in the form of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and massive decline in unemployment, making way for stability in the economy, political leadership and lower crime rates as a result of their remarkable success in Industrialization.
The House said it was also aware that a similar strategy of building cottage industries has worked agreeably in some African countries like Rwanda, Mozambique, Ghana and South Africa, an indication that grassroots industrialization produces an array of positive economic and social impacts.
It was worried that Nigeria is yet to positively harness the human capital resources accruing from its youthful population through the creation of industrial clusters to engage the youths.
The House said it has become imperative for government to re–strategize by establishing industries in the 360 federal constituencies, which would play a critical role in curbing the unemployment problems and boost the country’s Gross Domestic Products;
“The House also believes that such an Industrial Revolution Scheme, if implemented and sustained will entrench the culture of hard work and regrow moral values lost in the wake of cybercrime, human trafficking, kidnapping and drug consumption;
“The House further believes that the siting Industries in the 360 Federal Constituencies will facilitate Federal presence at the grassroots and positively impact lives of rural dwellers through employment, infrastructural development.
“The House envisages a comprehensive industrialization scheme targeting both extractive and manufacturing stages as well as the processing of agricultural produce into semi–finished products for internal consumption and possible export, while establishing cottage industries based on needs assessment and viability in the 360 Federal Constituencies of the Federation to combat unemployment and drive grassroots industrial growth,” the Green Chamber stated.