The reduction in the days at work for workers in some states from five to three is not the solution to the subsidy removal by the Federal Government, Mr. Christian Udechukwu, Commissioner for Industry Development in Anambra State has said.
The Federal and State governments have also been charged to look inward in their attempts to solve the energy crisis in the country by patronising Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing (IVM) Company Limited.
Speaking during the tour of the IVM facility in Nnewi, Anambra State yesterday, Udechukwu insisted that the reduction in the working days for workers would not enhance productivity, rather would slow down the country’s growth.
According to him, there was a need to reduce the country’s debts burden, but warned that the reduction in the number of days for workers may further increase economic challenge for the country.
Udechukwu emphasised that the withdrawal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government had created a shock in the country, thereby leading to over 300 per cent rise in the price of Premium Motor Spirt (PMS0, while airfares had also skyrocketed.
He said: “I hear that in some states, they are cutting down the working days of workers from five to three; that cannot enhance and help the productivity of Nigeria. In fact, we should be mindful of the fact that parts of the challenges we have to overcome in order to address Nigeria’s debt burden is to increase productivity and not to decrease it.
“If you reduce the days because you want to help the workers save money, you are reducing productivity. The economic challenge will multiple. What we need to do in order to reduce the debt is to expand the economy to increase productivity and empower industry on a 24 hours basis. We don’t need to withdraw now, rather we need to rise up to the challenges.”
