Members of the Federal House of Representatives on Wednesday kicked against moves to alleviate sufferings of millions of unemployed graduates in the country, opposing a bill seeking to provide monetary incentives to unemployed graduates across the country.
Some of the lawmakers who opposed the bill include James Faleke, Ibrahim El-Sudi, Essien Ayi, Peter Onyemaechi, among others.
Arua Arunsi, sponsor of the bill was supported by Fort Dike, Hassan El-Badawy, Peace Nnaji and others, arguing that the country can afford to pay the monthly allowance to unemployed youths.
After the heated debate, the bill for an Act to amend the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) laws, 2004 by creating specific functions and objectives to specifically cater to unemployed graduates of tertiary institutions failed to scale second reading, as it was rejected by voice vote.
Arua Arunsi, sponsor of the bill explained that the bill sought the design and implementation of programmes to combat mass unemployment for graduates aged 18 to 35 and also between the third and fifth year of post-graduation experience.
James Faleke argued that provision of such monetary incentive would further compound the economy challenges facing the country. He argued that since the Nigerian economy is not production-based, industrial revival efforts would be defeated.
“Rather than turn our unemployed youths into lazy ones, government should channel the monthly stipends towards the revival of our industries,” he said. “In other words, let us teach them how to fish instead of giving them the fish. When our industries are revived, the economy will be able to a absorb them.
However, the antagonists of the bill pointed out that its provisions failed to meet critical need to fill gaps observed in the existing laws it was seeking to amend.
Ibrahim El-Sudi noted the bill has nothing new, as a similar programme for unemployed graduates already exists at the NDE saying, “There is a graduate attachment programme that does exactly what this bill is seeking
“Even, a similar programme exists for non-graduates on the social aspect for unemployed non-graduates at the NISTF. What should happen is for the authorities to strengthen these Programmes.”
In his view, Peter Onyemaechi expressed concerns over the programme, saying it could be compromised and citing previous poverty alleviation programmes that have failed.
“How do we verify the beneficiaries and how do they qualify, because of corruption. The list would just keep expanding. People would no longer look for work since there is easy money coming in every month.”
Chairman, Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Essien Ayi, who also opposed the bill, argued that there was no need for it, as an earlier bill on National Social Insurance Trust Find (NSITF) has already addressed the issue of stipends and if this should scale through, it would prevent the organisation from executing its duties.
Protagonists of the bill faulted opinions that the stipend would turn the beneficiaries into lazy youths, arguing that it would only serve as motivation as well as keep them out of mischief, restiveness and other vices.
However, faulty public address system halted the debate midway and Speaker Aminu Tambuwal was forced to put the bill to voice vote, using his campaign voice.
