By Ashemiriogwa Emmanuel
The Federal Government of Nigeria has drawn attention to the vast provision of job opportunities in the green economy of the country.
It considered the sector’s provision of creating environmentally-friendly jobs in areas such as construction, renewable energy, afforestation, and waste management, which includes e-waste.
The Minister for Labour and Employment, Mr Chris Ngige, who mentioned this at the opening of the 6th Meeting of the National Employment Council, noted that the opportunities presented, especially to youths, in this sector have not been explored enough.
Speaking on the theme Creating Environmental Friendly (Green) Jobs, the Minister, represented by the Director, Employment and Wages, Mr John Nyamale, noted that the government was committed to the large-scale installation of mini-grids and solar home systems.
He said this will be effective in a minimum of five million households not currently on the grid as part of the government’s post-COVID-19 economic recovery plan titled Bouncing Back.
The Minister, in a statement by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mr Charles Akpan, said that the council will discuss extensively the activities of the federal ministries of Power and Environment, in evolving strategies and innovative ideas to create decent jobs in the green economy.
“This council has the responsibility of following up on the implementation of this plan and making useful recommendations that can deepen job creation in the green economy,” he explained, urging participants to be aware of the presentations from the critical ministries.
Mr Ngige also disclosed that the council would be informed on the implementation of the afforestation program and Nigeria’s Sovereign Green Bonds by the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Modupe Gbadeyanka 
Aduragbemi Omiyale