Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on Friday said the first 200,000 out of the Federal Government’s 500,000 Volunteer Job Programme will begin in about two weeks’ time.

Osinbajo gave the assurance in Lagos at a colloquium on The Way Forward for Nigeria.

“We are trying to create jobs directly’’, he said, adding that “the government is creating space for more private sector activities for facilitated economic growth.’’

Osinbajo said that the Volunteer Corps Programme ought to have started on Oct. 31.

“The delay is because we are trying to provide as many equipment as we require. We also want to ensure that we provide opportunities across the states as they come.

“Close to a million registered; we should start with the first 200,000 in 14 days or thereabout.

“It is a temporary opportunity for young graduates. We have volunteer teachers, public health officers. They will be given a device that contains training module’’, he explained.

He added that registration was ongoing for the micro credit scheme for a million artisans and market women.

Osinbajo said that the Lagos-Kano Rail project should start by the end of 2016.

He said that the rail line would begin from Lagos Ports to Kano.

The vice president said that the government had also increased tax compliance.

He said that increasing Value Added Tax coverage was more important than increasing the tax itself.

“Government is interested in coverage from 12 per cent, so that more revenue can come in.

“ On high exchange rate, the reason is that dollars are not enough. If you have enough dollars, exchange rate will be reduced.

“The N197 per dollar official rate before was not realistic because black market is nearer to what people will buy.

“We should be able to encourage supply of dollars. Supply is crucial.’’

The event was organised by some Christian leaders, under the aegis of Coalition of Nigerian Apostolic Leaders (CNAL).

CNAL is an affiliate and the Nigerian arm of the International Coalition of Apostolic Leaders.

The colloquium held at the Guiding Light Assembly, Ikoyi. (NAN)