By Helen Ovbiagele

One of the most distressing things in life is the state of being unemployed, and not being in a position to have a means of livelihood.  We  may well accuse the present generation of being lazy, laid-back, and wanting a life of luxury without their having to lift a finger to work, but at the same time, we should ask ourselves what we’re doing to empower the ones who are disadvantaged.

With the high rate of unemployment, more and more people are becoming self-employed.  When these are established, then they become employers of labour themselves in a small way.  This move will certainly help to reduce the unemployment queue.

A people-friendly government would not just run vocational courses for young people, and perhaps equip them with the materials with which to set up on completion of their courses, but would ensure that things are put in place which would ensure success in their work,  and bring success to their lives.

Whenever a government runs vocational courses for young people, widows and the needy, there is a lot of publicity about it to show how caring and responsible that government is.  This is of course not without self-interest, as the motive is usually so that the political party of  that  government can be voted back into power, come the next elections.

But re-visit the beneficiaries of  that programme several years later, and you would hear sad stories of how they couldn’t run the business any more because the machinery had broken down, and no money to replace them; poor electricity supply and no money to buy a generator; grounded vehicles and high costs of spare parts, etc.  Soon, some of these people are back on the streets, looking for work.

“Auntie Helen, surely the government knows that they charge high import duties on machinery and other materials needed for manufacturing in this country.  And they know that this is the basic reason  why many industries are folding up, and throwing people out of jobs.

The truth of the matter is that our rulers just don’t care about the implications of their policies on those they rule.  They are not concerned about how tough life has become for the common man.  Only God can deliver this country. –  John, Lagos.”

“Madam, it isn’t just import duties that is responsible for industries closing down.  What about the dismal electricity supply?  And to think that in spite of this, the tarrifs have been raised!  For what purpose?  Our rulers are cushioned off against all austerity measures,  so, what do they care about how the citizens are coping with life?

Their main concern now seems to be how to get more of our money into their greedy pockets before their term runs out.  Meanwhile there other greedy politicians waiting in the wings to step into their shoes, so that the vicious circle can continue. Only an uprising can stop this. – A concerned Nigerian.”

“Mrs. Ovbiagele, all over the country are discarded buildings and machinery which were once factories bustling with activities and providing employment for Nigerians.  Come to Benin City where I live, and go along Sapele Road, New Benin/Lagos Road, East Circular, etc., and you would find disused factories which have since shut down.

The premises are overgrown with weeds, and are now home to reptiles and small animals.  What about Benin/Abuja Road?  Same thing.  I’m sure this is a common sight all over the country.  Go and ask the owners what happened and they would tell you that they couldn’t afford the high costs of replacing the obsolete machinery, and the generators.

It’s a crying shame that an oil and gas producing country like ours has a history of poor electricity supply.  If you set up an industry, relying on power supply from the government, that business is doomed from the start. You just have to have generators.

This means that you have to pass on the high cost of diesel and generator maintenance, to the consumers.  At the end of the day, locally produced things cost much more than those imported from  countries in Asia.  It’s natural that our people would go for the cheaper products.

If you can no longer sell your products, you would shut down and send your employees away.  I’m sure our rulers know what to do to improve our economy and bring unemployment down. Thanks, ma. –   Nathaniel, Edo State.”

“Madam, thank you for that your piece on free import duties on machinery. If the government will accept M.A.N’s suggestion, local industries will pick up again, and that will reduce the number of the unemployed in the country.  This will in turn reduce the number of criminal activities, unemployment-related suicides, and also violence in the land.

Ma, do you know that some men who have lost their jobs due to retrenchment/industries folding up, could become violent in the home, in their frustration/shame at staying home while their neighbours are at work, and having to live on handouts from friends and relatives?

It’s not as if there’s social security benefits for them to fall back on during the period of unemployment.  The government should think hard before doing things that will further drive citizens into despair. –  An umployed middle-aged Nigerian. Abuja.”

“If  much-needed machinery is imported cheaply into the country, and there’s a steady supply of electricity, not only would dead industries be revived, a few new ones would spring up.  At the moment, we import some very ridiculous things, simply because the local industries were not aided to survive by the government.

Think of candles, matches, condiments, rubber footwear, raincoats and umbrellas, lamps, torches, tyres, and some petty vehicle spare parts, etc.  For goodness’ sake, these are things that we can produce here, if the machinery is affordable and there’s good and steady power supply. –  We can then import those items which are still too complicated for us to make.  Tito, Aba.”

“Does the government realize that by importing virtually everything, and stifling the local industries  with high import duties, they’re helping the economy of other nations,  keeping their citizens employed, while depriving Nigerians of a means of livelihood?  Where’s the sense in this?

It’s not as if we don’t have highly qualified experts who can, or who should advise the government on its policies.  If we help local industries to stay strong, and encourage them to produce high qualify goods, unemployment figure would fall, and our children will be able to walk into ready jobs right from the universities, like it used to be in the good old days.

It’s crazy to make policies which kill industries and throw people out of jobs, and then turn round to scream that there’s a rise in violence and criminal activities, and moral decadence in the land.  We should get our priorities right.  Thanks,  A, Amis, Lagos.”