Government at all levels have been called upon to tackle the menace of unemployment challenges in order to reduce the level of crime rate bedeviling the country.
Chairman Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers {Nupeng} Port Harcourt zone, comrade Alex Agwanwor said this in an interview with Reporter, Tina Stephen, in Port Harcourt.
He noted that Nigeria is the centre of labour mobility in the entire Africa and World at large due to its population, stressing that
there is need to set policies that will drive the economy to enviable height.
“The reason for crisis in the country and terrorist attack in the country is linked to unemployment. If youths are gainfully employed, they will be limited in getting involved in social vices”
Comrade Alex also said the call for increment of minimum wage is tenable if government can curtail unnecessary spending and put the welfare of workers as their first priority.
“Previous government from 2010-2015 could afford to pay minimum wage so, what is different now that some state government cannot afford to pay? Many top government officials spend above minimum wage in their daily needs. I don’t see payment of ninety three thousand naira which United Labour Congress is clamouring for as impossible”
He further urge the state government to provide enabling environment for oil and gas workers, while appealing to the government to look into the issue of casualization and contract staffing of workers in the oil and gas sector.
