A Group of International Business People in a Meeting
The National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) says it is partnering with the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) on human capacity building and training, with both institutions signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on capacity building.
The NSIWC Chairman, Maj.-Gen. Junaid Bindawa (rtd.), announced this when he and other management staff of the Commission visited the PTDF in Abuja, saying the two institutions had strategic roles to play in human capital development. He also called for the existing partnership between the agencies to be renewed with greater vigour. The development was contained in a statement issued by the Head of Press and Protocol of NSIWC, Emmanuel Njoku, on Friday in Abuja.
Bindawa said PTDF had extended invaluable support to and collaborated with the Commission, particularly in the areas of capacity building and human capital development.
He said there was a need to renew the partnership, adding that although the mandates of PTDF and NSIWC were distinct, there were significant areas where both institutions could collaborate.
According to him, the areas of convergence included developing indigenous human and institutional capacity for the petroleum industry.
He added that other areas included education, training, research and development, as well as other interventions aimed at building the technical and professional competencies required for national development.
Bindawa explained that NSIWC had a critical responsibility in salaries, incomes and wages policy.
He said the Commission also advised the government on remuneration matters, promoting fair, sustainable and coherent remuneration systems within the public service.
According to him, the Commission also undertook relevant research, analysis and policy development in support of national economic and labour policies.
Bindawa noted that both institutions shared a common interest in human capital development, institutional effectiveness, productivity, research, evidence-based policy and the development of highly skilled manpower.
He stated that the Commission was also a stakeholder in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021.
“The PIA plays a major participatory role to the NSIWC in determining remuneration as a major stakeholder in the future of the oil and gas sector.
“This is under Part III: Section 13(2), Section 21(a-c), Section 35 g(i-iii) and Section 44(a-c),” he explained.
The NSIWC chairman said the Commission would welcome discussions with the PTDF management on the need to establish a more structured framework for cooperation between the two institutions.
Speaking during the visit, the PTDF Executive Secretary, Prof. Shuaib Shehu, said the Fund was ready to collaborate with NSIWC in training and human capital development.
Shehu said NSIWC played a critical role in the welfare and motivation of the workforce, adding that collaboration between the two institutions would be mutually beneficial.
“The problem with the country’s development is near lack of strong capital development and that can be corrected through a well-motivated workforce,” he said.
He urged NSIWC to work towards bridging the dichotomy in salaries and wages to achieve greater harmonisation.
According to him, no sector should be regarded as more important than another.
Shehu also expressed concern over the declining motivation in the teaching profession, particularly at the primary and secondary school levels.
He added that Nigeria could not achieve meaningful development without investing in its human resources.
The highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on capacity building between NSIWC and PTDF.
