President Muhammadu Buhari is worried by a situation where foreigners are being employed in many construction companies in Nigeria at the detriment of Nigerians.
The President who ordered the Federal Ministries of Works and Lands, Housing and Urban Development to immediately commence the process of reversing the situation, made it clear that jobs must be created for thousands of unemployed people in the country.
President Buhari who met with the Board of Directors of a leading construction company in the country at the Presidential Villa, Abuja today, asked that the relevant ministries should also urgently prepare and present to him for approval and implementation, a plan of action for the speedy revitalisation and expansion of the nation’s vocational training centres.
The companies’ chiefs had told the President that because of the shortage of competent construction workers and
artisans in the country, many construction companies were forced to bring in skilled workers from the foreign lands.
Buhari expressed worry over this practice which he said, is very detrimental to his administration’s commitment to boost employment opportunities for young Nigerians.
He said that his administration will move quickly to address the shortage of skilled construction workers in the country.
The President who demanded a report on the current status of existing vocational training centres established by the Federal Government, said that his administration will take all necessary actions to rapidly re-position them as efficient producers of skilled workers for Nigeria’s building and construction industry.
President Buhari assured members of the Board of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc that his administration will act swiftly to ensure that the Building Craft Training School and Skill Improvement Centre in Lagos are fully revamped, staffed and equipped to produce more skilled electricians, brick and block layers, carpenters, painters, welders, fabricators, plumbers and other artisans.
He reaffirmed his government’s commitment to the proper education and training of Nigerian youth for the current demands of the labour market. The President said that the Federal Government will act expeditiously to remove all impediments to the fulfilment of its promise of more jobs for unemployed Nigerians.
He also assured the Julius Berger Directors led by Mr. Mutiu Sunmonu that in spite of present financial challenges, the Federal Government will continue to do everything possible to settle genuine outstanding payments due to contractors. [myad]
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