Hon. Jude Emeka Idimogu is currently representing Oshodi-Isolo State Constituency 11 in the Lagos State House of Assembly. In this interview with VICTOR UDOH , he speaks on the Employment Trust Fund , ETF bill which was recently passed into law by the assembly saying it is going to reduce youths unemployment in the state. He also speaks on how the youths can benefit from the Fund. Excerpts:

There is serious unemployment in Nigeria and many of Lagos State youths are on the streets and as one of the lawmakers in Lagos House of Assembly, how is the Assembly tackling the unemployment menace in Lagos State?

Well, you should know that Lagos State is a unique state and in the beginning of this year, when budget of the state was passed or let me say that the present governor, Akinwunmi Ambode made some promises to ensure that most of the youths in Lagos State would be gainfully employed and I must tell you that he has commenced move to fulfil his promise. First, this year, Employment Trust Fund bill was passed into law for the first time in Lagos State, and the idea is that it is going to be funded by both the private sector and the state government.

The state government is going to contribute the sum of N25billion in four years, N6.25billion of that fund would be provided by the state. And as I speak now, that fund has been provided by the state and I must also tell you that few days ago, the chairman and the executive secretary of that ETF; who will form the major player in the board were actually confirmed by the Assembly. So, which means everything is now on course for job employment and it is now left for the board and probably the governor who will now send the names of other board members to the House of Assembly because he has to constitute the board now that the Chairman and Executive Secretary have been confirmed. The other members will be confirmed and I think the other necessary policy that will take place will commence immediately the entire board is completed.

What is the idea of the ETF?

The idea of Employment Trust Fund is to ensure that unemployment is highly reduced to a minimal level in Lagos State. When you considered that in Lagos State, the population is high and you are talking about say 20million to 23million and majority of this number are the youths and they are unemployed, so that is the reason for the formationof ETF, and we believe it will go a long way in reducing unemployment, because it is not just employment trust fund for the elite, its target is for the downtrodden in the state. In fact, the artisans, youths in particular, who can come up with ideas and who are also willing to create employment within themselves. Even some training will be giving to them before the resources will be provided to them. However, I think the beneficiaries must be residents of Lagos State, not indigene but residents of Lagos State. And that means they must also have the LASSARA, this residence permit that was being done .

So I’m advising the young men that have been living in Lagos State for not less than six months and above to make time and go and register and have their own resident’s citizen card because if you don’t have it, you won’t be able to access the fund. However, we are not talking about indigenes of Lagos State or tribe in this case because we don’t want to raise any sentiment that it is only indigenes that would benefit from it, so that is why in the wisdom of the governor, and the brain behind the trust fund, it is giving to the residents of Lagos State who have spent a minimum of six months and above and who have registered and also have the resident permit with their documents showing that they are residents in Lagos State not just any other person that is living in Lagos State. So, I think that is the major bold step the government of Lagos State has taken to solve the menace of unemployment in the state. And I sincerely commend the governor and his team for that.

Apart from that ETF, are there any other way of absorbing some of them in the ministries and agencies of the state?

Yes, of course as at today and since the commencement of this administration, I’m aware that primary school teachers have been employed in the state schools management board and I think the process is still on and it was advertised. Many have been interviewed and recruitment process is still on. I know that; that one has been done and very soon, some of them will be receiving their employment letters. Again, as I speak to you, Lagos State Transport Management Authority, LASTMA are also employing through the State Civil Service Commission and if you go through their potter you will see it is advertised there. People have also been applying and I know the process is still on. Some have been invited for interview. These are ways of reducing the unemployment in the state and I know that even the Fire Services, under special duties are also recruiting. Now the vacancy is on and if you go to their website, it’s there and if you are qualified you can apply but all these jobs and recruitments are done online, so this one will close by the end of this month. These are the ones that I know are taking place. And remember, the budget was just passed in January and this is the second month and I believe strongly that before the second year of this administration, a lot of our youths will be employed by the government and I also believe that there are some arrangement coming from the private sector in partnership with the government that will create job opportunities for our youths in the state. I think we are on course and we are working.

How is the state going to monitor the funds so that it will not be abused by the youths who are going to be the beneficiaries of this fund?

Well, that depends on the modalities of the board, that is what the ETF is going to adopt. The chairman for me is a first class material who has done it before, and she has worked in Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS. She is a chartered accountant with pedigree, and from her resume, she is a financial expert. Her record in finance and management is intimidating sincerely within me, I was carried away by her Curriculum Vitae , CV. I think she is a capable hand to manage the fund. Very sharp, articulate and intelligent woman so the idea of abuse may not be there. I believe with her and the Executive Secretary of the board, other board members will key into their vision. The governor, the House of Assembly, have done everything to make sure that every law guiding it to function is provided but it’s the board that will come out with the details of how it will go according to their guidelines. So on the issue of abuse, they can be able to take care of that because they are the managers of the fund. They are also going to bring the private sector, individuals into it because it’s not only managing the funds but they have to grow the funds. The kind of fund management they are going to do is more of accountability and transparency, because that is the purpose. Every person that will have the opportunity to draw from it, will know that there will be controls to safeguard anything like embezzlement. Of course, we know that there is no system that is faulty proof, but I also know that through their very best control, they will checkmate those that will look at it as their own ‘national cake’ or largesse from the government. And I believe that any person that has enjoyed the fund will be able to pay back so that it can go round to others.

How are we sure that access the funds is not going to be partisan, for instance they may require that beneficiaries must show their party cards ?

No, no, no! That is why the only condition that I know is through the resident’s permit card, that you must be a resident of Lagos State. What do you mean by being a party member?

A situation where the applicants can be asked to produce their parents’ party card membership?

No, I know that party cards and membership cards have nothing to do with this ETF opportunity. You see we have an amiable governor, whose interest is on Lagos residents, not tribe or party membership. Any person as long as you have your resident’s permit is entitled to the fund. It’s not for any tribe, party, family, clan or state. It’s for those who are living in Lagos State and are contributing their quota; taxes and adding values in Lagos State. The purpose of the fund. is clear and the document about the fund is there, it’s a public document, and it has no hidden agenda. The governor has spoken to the House, and my honourable Speaker, Rt. Hon. Obasa and other stakeholders have given their support to the ETF and everything is going to work out transparently.

What are your words for youths?

They should be calm, not engage in crime and criminalities, exercise patience because there are good things coming their ways from this government. But they must have their LASSARA, let them go and register now and get their resident permit card because you cannot access the employment trust fund if you don’t have their resident permit. The state is not bias by asking for that; what they are saying is that if you have lived in Lagos State for a minimum of six months and above, you are entitled to it, so let them go and get it.