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By Tunde Johnson, Abuja
The Industrial Global Union, Africa has called for a robust implementation of the recent Executive orders to promote ease of doing business.
Speaking during a press briefing on Sunday, Issa Aremu, Vice President, Industrial Global Union, Africa, noted that only industry can ensure sustainable jobs.
Aremu noted that millions of youths join the labour market annually. Adding that only industry can provide sustainable jobs and living wages and necessary revenues for government to provide the needed infrastructure for development.
“For Africa to meet the Sustainable Development Goal 2030, especially SDG 9 dealing with industry and innovation our continent must innovate and industrialize. Africa should stop being romantic and clapping for China through uncritical importation of goods and services.
“Rather Africa must copy China’s industrialization drive which has within 20 years moved over 250 million people out of poverty through manufacturing and industrialization. Africa must make what it consumes, otherwise it will be consumed by the rest of the world,” he said.
He stressed that many African countries have robust documents and policies on industrialization and diversification, yet few existing industries are closing with mass job losses.
“It’s time South Africa, Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana! Zimbabwe, Sudan walked/worked the policies and add value to the continent abundant raw materials.
“There can be no industrialization without electrification. Stop any action plan that will further give monies to non-performing Privatized electricity distribution companies,” he said.
Aremu averred that there should be education and re-training for workers, instead of terminating their employment.
“Beyond politics as industry some states have commendably taken to development and industrialization. Such as Edo industrial parks, Sokoto and Cross River states garment factories,” he added.
