Minority challenges government to publish jobs created under 24-Hour Economy

The Minority in Parliament has called on the government to present a verifiable record of jobs created through the 24-Hour Economy program, expressing skepticism about the administration's capacity to provide a full count of positions established since the initiative's inception. Speaking to the media on behalf of the Minority on Tuesday, November 10, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam, who chairs Parliament’s Finance Committee, urged the government to demonstrate the program's effectiveness before proposing new economic strategies for the 2027 Budget.

He reminded listeners that the 24-Hour Economy project was launched in July 2025 with an anticipated investment of US$4 billion, including a government contribution ranging from US$300 million to US$400 million. According to the plan, the program was intended to create 1.7 million jobs by the end of 2028, utilizing a "1-3-3" approach that entails one job, three shifts, and three workers.

However, Dr Amin Adam noted that the Chief Programme Officer of the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat could not confirm the total number of jobs generated under the program when questioned on October 19, 2026. The Minority also expressed doubt about the reported job figures, including the 160,000 positions expected from four projects, with one, the Buipe solar project, not expected to produce power until the third quarter of 2027.

Dr Amin Adam emphasized that the Caucus demands a verifiable list of 24-Hour Economy jobs that can be cross-checked with payroll and Social Security Investment Trust Fund (SSNIT) contribution records. The Minority insists that the government should publish the actual number of jobs created, rather than depending on projections and promises.