FG inaugurates committee on 100 million jobs

By ABBAS JIMOH

The Federal Government of Nigeria, on Friday, inaugurated an Inter-Ministerial Technical Expert Committee to work out the modalities of lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty.

The Inter-Ministerial Committee, which comprises experts from within the country, is charged to develop a framework of cooperation for all stakeholders’ special intervention under a public-private partnership.

The spokesperson of the Federal Ministry of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs (FMSDIGA), Mrs Julie Osagie Jacobs, said in a statement in Abuja that other terms of reference of the committee are to prepare a template for coordination of inter-governmental policies, projects and programmes.

It is also to harness sundry opportunities for collaboration and cooperation among all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) at all levels of governance to achieve government’s objective of service delivery to its citizens.

According to her, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Senator George Akume, who serves as the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Committee of Ministers, noted that the aim of setting up the committee was to develop a road map and ensure seamless cooperation of all MDAs in order for his ministry to deliver on its mandates.

“This is in addition to achieving the objective of reducing the cost of governance in the long run,” the minister said.

The Minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Engr. Festus Daudu, expressed optimism that the committee will deliver on the task before it.

He said: “You are the foot soldiers, your participation and contribution to the work of this committee will enable your name to be written in gold as your contribution to Mr. President’s promise to lift 100million Nigerians out of poverty in the next 10 years.”

The committee, being coordinated by the ministry, is having the Director, Human Resources, Dr. Bassey Etim Ekang, as the coordinator of the committee.

Also, the representatives of the ministries of Health, Environment; Labour and Employment; Power; Sports and Youth Development, Water Resources; Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management; and Women Affairs among others attended the inaugural meeting. (Daily Trust)