Buhari rues influx of foreign construction workers

President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the federal ministries of works and lands, housing and urban development to urgently prepare action plan for speedy revitalisation of the nation’s vocational training centres.

According to Garba Shehu, senior special assistant to the president on media and publicity, Buhari gave the directive on Friday at a meeting with the board of directors of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

He said the president was told that, because of shortage of competent construction workers and artisans in the country, construction companies were forced to bring in skilled expatriates.

Shehu said Buhari found the practice as detrimental to his administration’s commitment to boost employment opportunities for young Nigerians.

“Buhari, therefore, pledged that his administration would move quickly to address the shortage of skilled construction workers in the country,” Shehu said in a statement.

“He demanded for a comprehensive report on the current status of existing vocational training centres established by the federal government across the country.

“He said that his administration would take necessary action to reposition the centres as efficient producers of skilled workers for Nigeria’s building and construction industry.”

According to the statement, the president said his administration would ensure that the Building Craft Training School and Skill Improvement Centre in Lagos were fully revamped, staffed and equipped to produce more skilled artisans.

Technicians expected to be trained at the centres, include electricians, brick and block layers, carpenters, painters, welders, fabricators and plumbers.

Buhari reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the proper education and training of Nigerian youths for the current demands of the labour market.

He said the federal government would act expeditiously to remove all impediments to the fulfillment of its promise of more jobs for unemployed Nigerians.

He also assured Julius Berger officials that in spite of present funding challenges, the government would continue to do everything possible to settle genuine outstanding payments due to contractors.