President Muhammadu Buhari is worried that because of the shortage of competent construction workers and artisans in Nigeria, many construction companies are being forced to bring in skilled workers from abroad thus denying Nigerians work and source of livelihood.

 

In order to stop the trend, Buhari on Friday in Abuja directed the Federal Ministries of Works and Lands, Housing and Urban Development to urgently prepare and present for approval and implementation, a plan of action for the speedy revitalisation and expansion of the nation’s vocational training centres.

 

He observed that the practice of bringing in skilled workers abroad was very detrimental to his administration’s commitment to boost employment opportunities for young Nigerians. President Buhari pledged that his administration would 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 his administration would take all necessary action 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 would 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.

 

Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the proper education and training of Nigerian youths for the current demands of the labour market, the President 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 the Julius Berger directors, led by Mutiu Sunmonu, that in spite of present funding challenges, the Federal Government would continue to do everything possible to settle genuine outstanding payments due to contractors.