Eleven Steps for Job Creation and Poverty Eradication in Delta State
By Elder (Dr.) Chukwuma O. Nwaonicha
LAGOS JULY 17TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Job Creation is the notion that jobs are created in response to some sort of event or situation, for example; great depression – an economic slump (a period of poor performance or inactivity in an economy, market or industry, a recession, signaling a slowdown of business activity) or high level of unemployment. Conceptually, job creation is the proactive opposite of unemployment. In a practical sense, organization or industry only hires more workers when necessary to satisfy demand for its products or services. Therefore, industrial or manufacturing based organizations are very crucial in the State to achieve meaningful and sustainable job creation. In the developing world, improved jobs and livelihoods are an indispensable means to eradicate poverty and establish a virtuous circle of expanding and inclusive economic growth. Inclusive economic growth, if sustained over time, is the only way to tackle poverty across the State. Destitution or absolute poverty is obvious in the State/Nation and it is caused by the deprivation of basic human needs, which commonly includes money, food, water, sanitation, clothing, shelter and health care among others, and it can be reduced through meaningful and sustainable job creation.
Tackling poverty through meaningful and sustainable job creation can be achieved in the State/Nation through the following; (1) individual efforts, (2) capacity building, (3) infrastructural development in which quality education and stable energy supply is a must (it should be noted that no stable electricity supply no meaningful job creation), (4) infrastructural maintenance program, (5) provision of quality technical and vocational education, (6) provision of quality information and communication technology (ICT) education, (7) effective use of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), (8) manufacturing based economy in which stable energy supply is a must, (9) tourism business, (10) adequate funding (capital including microcredit schemes) and (11) efficient agricultural development system among others. In addition, meaningful and sustainable job creation is affected by political stability, good governance, rule of law that is based on universal principles, government incentives, private enterprise, land reform, youth empowerment programs and quality of labor force among others. In addition, to create meaningful jobs in the State, Deltans should invest their resources in Delta State in order to accelerate sustainable social and economic developments of the State. As the saying goes: we should put our money where our mouths are! Deltans should emulate the likes of Alhaji Dangote, Mr. Jim Ovia and Mr. Tony Elumelu among others by investing their resources in the State and in the nation at large.
(1) Individual efforts are very crucial to meaningful job creation. In this day and age, finding a job is increasingly difficult. If you can’t find a job for yourself, why not create it, and create jobs for others. Planning is very necessary in order to create a job for yourself; you need to think about how exactly you will go about it and what you will do among other things. Make a list of all your work experience, skills, and achievements. Then, using these suggestions, think about what you want to do in the way of a self made job. Will you be working for someone else as an agent or contractor or really be self-employed? Next, decide what area or field you want to work in. Will this be a full-time or part-time job that you will create?
Get training as necessary, if you lack the proper training required for an interesting job. Do you need lots of training or classes to be qualified for the job? If so, how will you get that? Maybe you can work and get free training of the job and valuable experience at the same time.
Find and fulfill a need for this particular product, skill or job you are planning to create. Look into up-and-coming fields or check out businesses in the area to see what is missing and fill that void. Gather your resources. Once you have a fairly clear idea of what you want in the way of a job, you need to prepare. Do you have an up-to-date resume? Do you have friends, relatives or associates that may be able to help you?
Do not be aggressive but assertive (in the field of psychology and psychotherapy, it is a learnable skill and mode of communication) and seek out opportunities. Be kind to everyone you meet so you can gain an excellent reputation in your community. Networking is a key at this stage. Maintain ongoing professional relationships by contacting them with specific but brief thank you notes, and congratulations to your business contacts/colleagues, and be sure to meet or exceed all expectations and deadlines. Be sure to sell your services nicely and effectively, by not being pushy or rude to anyone. Be flexible. If you can’t make a go of it in one area, don’t beat yourself up. There are many reasons the job you are attempting to create may not work out. For example, if the job is too specific or niche for most people/businesses, you are likely not going to succeed. A narrow idea may not work. However, there is also the danger of overextending yourself, losing focusing by too broad a target, instead. Do some researches to promote your business venture. If you are looking to create a job for yourself within an existing business, don’t be too disappointed, if you are turned down. Don’t take a rejection personally.
Finally, success in individual efforts in creating job require business knowledge, good planning, hard work, smart ideas, funding or capital, discipline, patience and luck among others. Be persistent.
(2) Capacity Building: Capacity building is a process of developing and strengthening the skills, instincts, abilities, processes and resources that organizations and communities need to survive, adapt, and thrive in the fast-changing world. It is an organization’s ability to achieve its mission effectively and to sustain itself over the long term. It is also refers to the skills and capabilities of individuals. It is person’s ability to define and realize his/her goals or to do his/her job more effectively. For organizations, capacity building may relate to almost any aspect of its work: improved governance, leadership, mission and strategy, administration (including human resources, financial management, and legal matters), program development and implementation, fundraising and income generation, diversity, partnerships and collaboration, evaluation, advocacy and policy change, marketing, positioning, planning, among others. For individuals, capacity building relates to leadership development, advocacy skills, training/speaking abilities, technical skills, organizing skills, and other areas of personal and professional development. In short, capacity building is an assistance which is provided to entities, usually developing country societies, which have a need to develop a certain skill or competence, or for general upgrading of performance ability. Most capacity is built by societies themselves, sometimes in the public, sometimes in the non-governmental and sometimes in the private sector. Capacity building is, however, not limited to international aid work. More recently, capacity building is being used by government to transform community and industry approaches to economic, social and environmental problems. The State should encourage capacity building initiatives across organizations in the State for meaningful and sustainable job creation.
(3) Infrastructural Development in which stable energy supply and quality education are provided is very crucial in creating sustainable and meaningful job; as noted, local and foreign investment options abound everywhere in Delta State to create employment for the youths: in agriculture, manufacturing, culture and tourism, education, healthcare, petrochemical and fertilizer industries, road construction, housing, electricity, information and communication technology, insurance, banking, raw materials and mining among others. The lack of sustainable industrial and technology developments in the State is a serious matter that requires stronger commitments in the form of practical approach to priority issues (infrastructural developments) from the Local Governments to the State Government. As noted, ones degree of commitment determines ones degree of success! Therefore, I believe that in all human endeavors, the different between success and failure is time, determination and genuine commitments, and the State should be committed in perusing these developmental goals for sustainable and meaningful job creation.
The cornerstone for sustainable development in Delta State that could bring about meaningful job creation is through a practical approach in infrastructural development: development in education to create efficient human resources: the greatest resources of any society, development in energy as energy is one of the prime factors for industrial and technology developments, development in transportation, development in roads as our roads are death trap, waterways, housing, development in health as our healthcare system is in shambles, development in information technology – one of the fastest growing technology is poorly operated due to network problems, development in potable water supply as the masses are suffering from typhoid and diarrhea related diseases due to bad water, poor sanitation and poor hygiene, development in agriculture as our food is about 80% carbohydrate, which could lead to diabetic related diseases (there is need to diversify food production), promotion of effective Research and Development (R&D) and effective use of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) among others.
(4) Infrastructural Maintenance Program: as a way forward to actualize social and economic developments in the State, I suggest that the State initiate Delta State Public Works Program (DSPWP), an infrastructural maintenance program to create sustainable and meaningful employment for millions of Deltans that are without job. The DSPWP should cover renovation/rehabilitation of hospitals, schools, recreation centers and parks. Also, the program should include the renovation of housing projects. Furthermore, the program should cover renovation/rehabilitation of highways, rural roads, streets (making good use of Direct Labor Agency), waterways, irrigation, dredging, reclamation, and rehabilitation of erosion and oil degraded sites, environment and sanitation control in rural and urban cities among others. The above program should be given high priority with regard to economic and social development, job creation and crime reduction. In other words, Delta State Government should give immediate priority to medium term projects that are critical to State development. The execution of this program will promote and provide favorable environment for investors including the promotion of safety and security in the State. The above program should also accommodate short-term and long-term projects. Public Works Program worked in many Nations including the USA and created many jobs, and laid the foundation for development in these Nations. I believed it will work (promote job creation, social and economic development) in Delta State if properly managed. As noted, some of the above programs or projects have been neglected or abandoned for many years; and will require a long period of time to fix. Also, the DSPWP is capital intensive programs or projects; hence the State indebtedness poses a red flag. I believe that excellent governance and good economic policies can help the growth process. I acknowledge that the Government cannot in four years, or even in ten years, correct the mistakes of the past years of errors. As noted, the Governor is positioning the State to find opportunities to excel despite the economic turmoil. I am convinced that what Delta State needs first and foremost is authentic economic development plan, which I believe the current State leadership is capable of achieving. The DSPWP should be in collaboration with the twenty five Local Governments, the State Government and private sectors in Delta State, specifically the big corporations through their respective Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) department. The big corporations in the State are required to actively participate in this program so that their businesses embrace responsibility for the impact of their activities on the environment, consumers, employees and communities. Furthermore, the big corporations should proactively promote Delta State public interest by encouraging community growth and development.
Continued inaction or slow pace in infrastructural maintenance program poses serious costs for everyone. These costs are unemployment, human and financial, felt by millions of people at home, and those abroad who endure years of separation or deferred dreams. Also, it affect millions more hardworking families whose wages are depressed due to lack of efficient infrastructural maintenance program in the State. That’s why infrastructural maintenance program is an economic imperative and an essential step needed to strengthen our middle class, maintain the existing industries, create new industries and new jobs, and make Delta State remains competitive in the global economy. Proper and effective use of Direct Labor Agency for roads and streets maintenance is highly suggested.
(5) Provision of technical and vocational education for meaningful and sustainable job creation is very crucial. Although education is more important than ever, there are still a lot of jobs that require some technical training but not a college degree, such as paralegals, dental hygienists, welders, electricians, carpenters, hospitalities, and a variety of medical technicians among others. Steering more students into vocational and technical schools at a younger age could generate more workers with skills that employers say they need.
Too many students earn degrees in arts, literature and social sciences, while there’s a shortage of mathematics, science and engineering graduates. Parents and educators could do a much better job of guiding kids into fields where the jobs are, which would raise the payback for getting a college degree and encourage more to attend.
It should be noted that technical and vocational education is the key to sustainable and meaningful job creation in the State. Government must rebuild the moribund educational facilities, engage quality and skillful teachers, equip the schools in the rural and urban areas with educational infrastructure including comprehensive sporting facilities to catch talented sports persons in their prime because sports have become big business and big employer of labor locally and internationally. The State must leverage on the enormous talents that abound among our youths, develop these sporting talents. In this direction, the educational sector has a strategic role to play in creating the necessary skills that would enable the youths to become creators of jobs and not just job seekers. As noted, a child with Quality Education has a better chance to succeed because knowledge is power. The best gift to any child is good education.
(6) Development of quality Information and Communication Technology (ICT) education is the provision of e-learning spaces and training for teachers and students across the State. It is the applications of computers and telecommunications equipment to store, retrieves, transmit and manipulate data. ICT education includes software applications but is not limited to, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, Web browsers and e-mail clients, digital media playback, games and myriad personal productivity and special-purpose software applications. The state of the Information Technology System in the State needs to be addressed in line with the trend of the 21st century computer technology, and it calls for urgent steps to be taken to promote computer education, which will create meaningful jobs across the State.
I strongly suggest that the State include ICT in schools’ curriculums. ICT education has advantages that images can easily be used in teaching and improving the retentive memory of students, teachers can easily explain complex instructions and ensure students’ comprehension and teachers are able to create interactive classes and make the lessons more enjoyable, which could improve student attendance and concentration. However, ICT has disadvantages because setting up the devices can be very troublesome, too expensive to afford and hard for teachers to use with a lack of experience using ICT tools.
The current trend in ICT shows that South Korea, United States and China are promoting strategy for “Smart Education”, focusing on customized learning and teaching; as the digital technology in the classroom might help to engage pupils and students in their learning and could save schools money. It is believed that the new learning strategy will deliver the best results for pupils, students, parents, and teachers. Smart Education will change how we perceive textbooks; that is, the transfer from the traditional paper textbooks to digital textbooks that will allow students to explore the world beyond the classroom. Therefore, it is imperative that the State Government prioritized information and Communication technology for Public primary, secondary, technical and vocational schools, and higher institutions in order to create meaningful job opportunities for our youths.
The State Government cannot only rely on ICT infrastructure development to become competitive. Rather, the benefits of ICT can only be fully derived when the State implements a holistic strategy aimed at creating conditions for skills, innovation and entrepreneurship to flourish alongside modern infrastructure.
For the State to close the digital divide or digital gap; the State Government require adequate educational infrastructures; especially, up-to-date computers, stable power supply, funds and large scale capacity building in ICT sector for the teachers, students and the pupils. As observed, tertiary institutions in the Nation/State are not producing competent and enough ICT graduates to meet National/State demand. The lack of young ICT professionals is not limited to the State/Nigeria but globally. Increasing connectivity, the internet of everything, rising digitization of all business activities, globalization of trade and travel, and global economic growth has created the same problem in many Nations. Promoting quality ICT education will translate to quality labor force and could promote outsourcing industry.
(7) Effective use of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to create meaningful jobs in the State is highly suggested. FDI is a controlling ownership in a business enterprise in one country by an entity based in another country. A foreign direct investment includes but is not limited mergers and acquisitions, building new facilities, reinvesting profits earned from overseas operations and intra company loans. In a nut shell, foreign direct investment refers to building new facilities.
FDI is increasingly being recognized as an important factor in the economic development of countries. Besides bringing capital, it facilitates the transfer of technology, organizational and managerial practices and skills as well as access to international markets. More and more countries are striving to create a favorable and enabling climate to attract FDI as a policy priority. In addition to reducing the restrictions on the entry of FDI, they are actively liberalizing their FDI regimes. In terms of the types of fiscal incentives granted, there is clearly an increasing trend towards offering full or partial tax holidays or tax rate reductions for specific types of activities. Typically, export incentives apply to almost all taxes, whereas with other kinds of incentives, the trend is towards a more selective exemption or partial exemption. Attracting beneficial FDI and local direct investment (LDI) is critical for Delta State’s economic diversification and development as stated in the SMART agenda. More incentive opportunities for FDI will translate to more meaningful and sustainable job creation for Deltans. For example, the mechanism for smoothening the process of registering concerns by foreign investors through the Delta State One Stop Shop for Investors (DSOSSI) is a way forward for coordinating and streamlining to provide prompt, efficient and transparent services to investors. This process, I believe is to reduce frustrations that local and foreign investors undergo. As noted, besides infrastructural development, this issue (frustrating the investors) is one of the factors retarding the Social and Economic Development of the State and the Nation at large.
Delta State should encourage Foreign Direct Investment program and incentives to accelerate the net inflows of investment to acquire a lasting management interest in enterprises operating in the economy of the State. Increasing foreign investment can be used by the State as one measure of growing economic globalization. Effective management of FDI will promote wealth for the State, accelerate industrial and technology developments and enhance employment for Deltans.
(8) Manufacturing based economy is required for meaningful and sustainable job creation in the State. Providing enabling environment for growth of local industry is a must and the power sector must and should be revived. Without stable electricity supply local manufacturing becomes very expensive. That is, without stable electricity supply it becomes cheaper to import goods from abroad than to produce them locally. In other words, without stable electricity supply, there will be no meaningful and sustainable job creation.
We must promote made-in-Nigeria goods by buying made-in-Nigeria products. Nigerian consumers also have a role to play to encourage local manufacturing of items that can easily be made here rather than rely so much on imports from China. We should halt the inordinate desire for foreign products for which substitutes are available in Nigeria. This will expand the market and create more jobs. Nigerian producers must abide by the international standard of products. For example, most medication in the Nation is not effective due to the fact that the active ingredient or ingredients are not present or are present in minute quantity, and not as specified by the manufacturers. It is a serious issue and requires the Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (PMGMAN) to address these shortcomings. In addition, the State Government can create credible jobs through the value chain in mineral exploitation, small and medium enterprises, by creating local demand and empowering local producers.
Furthermore, promotion of cottage industries is crucial to meaningful and sustainable job creation for Deltans. As noted, a cottage industry is an industry where the creation of products and services is home-based, rather than factory-based. While products and services created by cottage industry are often unique and distinctive given the fact that they are usually not mass-produced, producers in this sector often face numerous disadvantages when trying to compete with much larger factory-based companies. The State system is fraught with systemic failure of the previous State Government to fix the largely dilapidated and grossly non-functional infrastructure so as to create the enabling environment for willing entrepreneurs with the capital to set up cottage industries that would create meaningful and sustainable job opportunities for the jobless youths.
(9) The State Government should note that adequate funding and financing are key to business success. One of the causes of business failure in the State/Nation is lack of capital for the indigenes. The State Government should assist local investors by creating an affordable loan system; (loans with low interest rate and long-term pay back). Financial assistance should come as micro-financing from local banks, from Federal, State and Local Governments, the World Bank, small business development agencies and the use of soft loan among others.
(10) Tourism is big business, and there is need to revisit the sector in line with peace, environmental sanitation, safety and security of our communities. The Federal Government could boost tourism here by streamlining the visa process for foreigners and aggressively promoting travel to Nigeria, which will promote tourism business in the State and the Nation at large.
(11) The six entrepreneurial schemes unveiled by the State Government that include the Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Program (YAGEP); Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Program (STEP); Production and Processing Support Program (PPSP); Extension of Loans; and Development of Agro-industries among others are bent towards meaningful and sustainable job creation. These initiatives as stated by Delta State stakeholders will create jobs and wealth, diversify the economy, engage youths in productive enterprises, nurture entrepreneurs and leaders, and promote communal peace and security. Integrated agricultural system is Delta State administration goal of diversifying the State’s economy and unprecedented development.
In conclusion, meaningful and sustainable job creation as outlined is in line with the Governor’s SMART development agenda of his administration. The Governor promised to pursue it vigorously despite the financial crunch and sued for a change of attitude to work especially by public officials and youths, including those presently unemployed.
As noted, the Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Program (STEP), is designed to equip youths with vocational and technical skills in computer hardware and phone repairs, sewing, plumbing, tiling, electrical installation, POP, catering and confectionaries and events management among others. The objective of the Production and Processing Support Program (PPSP); according to the Commissioner for Economic Planning in Delta State, Dr. Kingsley Emu, is to increase production capacity of existing farmers and the quality of produce through best practices; wherein beneficiaries are granted micro credit through available financing windows, subsidized bulldozers, tractors implements, chemicals, and high quality seeds. According to Dr. Kingsley Emu artisans have to organize themselves into cooperative societies to enable them access the micro credit and agricultural loans with liberal repayment terms in line with the extant microcredit program. With an enabling environment and sustainable peace, government should place emphasis on skills related vocational and technical trainings so that youths will be entrepreneurs and not job seekers. We should emphasize the acquisition of skills rather than certificates and the educational system should be configured and supported to achieve this goal.
As state above, Delta State Government can tackle poverty through meaningful and sustainable job creation through the value chain in mineral exploitation, small and medium enterprises, by creating local demand and empowering local producers. As noted, the State will gain a lot if youths are empowered to acquire modern skills. Quality education is the key to sustainable job creation. The State Government must rebuild the moribund educational facilities, engage quality and skillful teachers, equip the schools in the rural and urban areas with comprehensive educational infrastructure including sporting facilities to catch talented sports persons in their prime. Educational sector has a strategic role to play in creating the necessary skills that would enable the youths to become creators of jobs and not just job seekers. The State should minimize Brain Drain to maximize Brain Gain through the provision of incentives that will attract Delta State professionals in Diaspora.
The State Government should recognize the importance of job creation by investing in and developing sound, effective and efficient economic and social infrastructure and productive capacities for sustainable development and sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth. Also the State should recognize the importance of job creation by adopting forward-looking macroeconomic policies that promote sustainable development and lead to sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth, increase productive employment opportunities and promote agricultural and industrial development. The State workers should have access to education, skills, health care, social security, fundamental rights at work, social and legal protections, including occupational safety and health, and decent work opportunities. Government, trade unions, workers and employers all have a role to play in promoting decent work for all, and all should help young people to gain access to needed skills and employment opportunities, including in new and emerging sectors. Women and men should have equal access to opportunities to acquire job skills as well as to worker protections. Government exists to cater for the well-being of the populace. It is its duties to provide social amenities for the good of all, be it electricity, water, road, among other infrastructure. It is more important when it comes to education, as it is an avenue where the leaders of tomorrow are prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. I believe in calling a spade by its proper name; the new cabinet formation of the State is a call for new vision, ideas, rigor and vigor. It is a call for transcendental governance or a transformational leadership.
Thanks and stay blessed.