Infrastructure
By Lilian Okoro
Lagos, July 19, 2018 (NAN) Mr Nasiru Dantata, the President, Federation of Construction Industry (FCI), has identified dearth of skilled workforce in the housing and construction industry as hindrance to infrastructural development in Nigeria.
Dantata made the assertion on Thursday at the opening of the 10th Annual/Distinguished Lecture of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Lagos Chapter, in Lagos.
Theme of the lecture was: “Repositioning Nigeria Industries for Economic Growth and Development: Construction Sector Viewpoint.’’
He said that the Nigeria construction artisans lacked the required skill/competence to effectively operate and drive the industry.
Dantata stressed the need for human capacity development, particularly in the housing and construction industry.
“If Nigeria will have the fund for infrastructure development, the skilled human capacity for execution of the projects will be lacking.
“Many foreign construction companies are operating freely in Nigeria, but no Nigerian construction firm can leave this country to another country and effectively operate.
“This is because they lack the skills/competency and government support that other countries give to their indigenous companies,” he said.
According to him, there is need for reformation of the industry and its payers for efficient delivery and infrastructure development.
He called for government concerted efforts toward establishment and proper funding of construction vocational schools to address lack of skill acquisition and development.
Contributing, Mr Muda Yusuf, the Director-General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), said that availability of adequate long-term funding was vital to stimulate infrastructure development and growth of the construction industry.
Yusuf said that lack of access to long-term funding was hindrance to effective operation of construction industry that could stimulate infrastructure development.
“Funding has been a major hindrance to development of capital projects. For Nigeria to stimulate growth of infrastructure, a pool of funds must be readily made available,” he said.
In his remarks, Mr Wole Adesanya, the Principal Partner, Adesanya and Partners, said that policy inconsistency was the bane of infrastructure development and growth of the construction industry.
Adesanya said that decisions and polices that could grow the nation’s infrastructure were not implemented, saying that change of government also disrupted construction activities.
“Government needs to realise that construction industry can generate as much revenue as the agriculture sector if properly managed.
“It is unfortunate that once a new government comes into power, it brings to an end all existing polices,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Bamidele Mafimidiwo, the Chairman of NIQS, said that the lecture would address critical economic issues that hindered growth of the construction sector and proffer solutions to aid the nation’s development. (NAN)
LUC/ENN/GOK
========
Edited by Edwin Nwachukwu/Olagoke Olatoye