FG urges construction coys to mobilise to sites

The Federal Government has urged construction companies to mobilise to site in view of over 80 percent of 247 billion naira so far released for the capital projects in the 2016 budget to the construction industry. This was disclosed by Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris  Ngige  while receiving the leadership of Construction and […]

The Federal Government has urged construction companies to mobilise to site in view of over 80 percent of 247 billion naira so far released for the capital projects in the 2016 budget to the construction industry.
This was disclosed by Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris  Ngige  while receiving the leadership of Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association in Abuja.
 He said, “as of today, the capital releases of the government stand at 247 billion out of  which a larger chunk has gone to the construction industry in five ministries -Works and Housing with about 120 billion or there about. Transport- the construction angle of it, rail and others account for another large chunk. So in effect, 80 percent of 247 billion so far released has gone to the construction industry.
“The idea is that government wants to reflate the economy and put money in the hands of the people through these construction companies that have millions of Nigerians in their employ.”
On the abuse of the expatriate quota which the union highlighted  as one of the bane of the sector, the minister said  the situation where expatriates take over positions meant for Nigerians, even as low as the menial, was unacceptable .
Earlier, the National President of Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association, Comrade Isaac Egbugara who said the construction industry was groaning under huge debt, solicited the assistance of the minister towards the release of owed funds, stressing the need for an urgent attention to avoid further job losses.