Fabricators canvass sanctions on organisations failing to employ local players

The Nigerian Institute of Welding is proposing sanctions on organisations failing to employ local fabricators/ welders for contract executions.

According to the organisation, Nigeria loses over $5billion annually to welding capital flight, which arises from patronage of foreign firms, saying that it is improper to pay foreign firms scarce foreign exchange when there are local players that are capable of executing quality jobs.

Solomon Edeberi, president, Nigerian Institute of Welding, said this when he paid a courtesy visit on Ogbonanya Onu, minister of science and technology in Abuja on Thursday.

“Government must show some support to the institute and regulatory agencies concerning welding in Nigerian organizations.  Most of the organisations bring in Filipinos, Asians, Chinese and even from farther Europe to come and work here in Nigeria. You cannot continue to do that. You need loyalty to your country.  We must grow this country, we must patronise,” said Edeberi.

He stressed that Nigeria and the institute have the capacity to train more welding engineers to satisfy the need of the construction industry.

He sought the support of the government in ensuring that all that is necessary is put in place for the Nigerian welding personnel take their rightful position.

“Our contribution to GDP is unquantifiable because we are in every sector. Which of the masts you see is not bolted? Your phones are all made of steel. Just the way a human being needs air to live, so is welding necessary and its input unquantifiable in the growth of an economy,” he added.

Responding, Ogbonnaya Onu, minister of science and technology, noted that welding is a very important aspect of all human endeavours as well as economic life, ranging from manufacturing, building, communications, airline, ships and satellite, cars, vessels. Onu said without welding these would not be made possible.

“Welding technology is key to our great nation if we are able to produce and manufacture many of the things that we import today and through this we can create new jobs as promised by President Buhari.”

On the issue of foreigners taking over citizens’ jobs, Onu pointed out that welding technology is not as easy as some people take it because of the level of precision it requires.

“You need special skills and, in the past, we didn’t have this and through this institute we will now develop the skills needed in the sector because of the complex vessels and machines. Once we have that capacity, the expatriates will no longer be needed.”

“Don’t forget that even in the building sector we don’t have enough capacity and that is why we go to neighbouring countries to look for workmen. I have charged the building research institute to come up with a curriculum on how we can build capacity to create jobs and conserve revenue in the country. Also it will help us to improve our productivity.” said the minister.

 

Oyin Aminu

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