Why construction workers are still angry with Umahi – Engineers

The Federation of Construction Industry on Thursday expressed concerns over the policies of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi. FOCI President, Chief Vincent Barrah, made this known at the 68th annual General meeting of the construction workers’ union in Abuja. Barrah argued that the imposition of contract prices and random termination of projects by the […]

The Federation of Construction Industry on Thursday expressed concerns over the policies of the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.

FOCI President, Chief Vincent Barrah, made this known at the 68th annual General meeting of the construction workers’ union in Abuja.

Barrah argued that the imposition of contract prices and random termination of projects by the ministry over lack of funding are a breach to standard conditions of contract.

He also raised the alarm that Umahi’s policy somersaults since coming into office are forcing many employers to retrench their workers.

“Our challenges are the recent various policy pronouncements by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, which are not in line with the standard conditions of contracts. For instance, imposition of contract prices and non-contractual termination of contracts by the ministry due to its inability to fund projects are unacceptable.

“The results are the worsening condition of roads we see across the country and, of course, the laying-off of workers. This is because you cannot continue to retain and pay workers when and the certified works you have done are not paid for.

“If an employer is to terminate a contract due to lack of adequate funding, there are procedures and rules guiding it. These are some challenges affecting our relationship with the minister. We have written him a letter and had meetings with him twice. To date, all efforts to resolve these issues have not yielded the desired result,” he stated.

The National President of Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association, Ayodeji Adeyemo, also expressed his frustration.

Adeyemo said many engineers are becoming worried and wanted to know why the minister has suddenly become inaccessible to stakeholders in the construction industry.

He said, “We have made several efforts to seek audience with the minister and written so many letters. He has not replied any of them. This is one month after and I can tell you that Umahi is still not accessible. We need him to address the issue of employers sacking our members.

“I am even surprised that, as a qualified engineer, Umahi is not able to take away politics from the profession. Why can’t he just abide by the contract of agreement. For instance, if I am giving you a contract to build a house, we have terms and conditions guiding that. If you stop my work, there is a penalty for it. But Umahi will stop the whole thing and start shouting in the media like the victim.

“Nigerians are tired of these actions by politicians. If you say there is Renewed Hope, is it by sacking workers or creating employment? These people are becoming demi-gods. We elected them there if truly our votes count. We travel to other countries like Ghana and have free access to see their ministers, even in Europe. Why is this country different?”

The President of National Union of Civil Engineering Construction Furniture and Wood Workers, Stephen Okoro, also shared his sentiment.

Okoro is still expressing regrets that years after contractors and engineers have invested heavily into some major road projects, a minister like Umahi could be asking them to revert to the use of concrete.

“We are still angry at the minister asking us to revert to concrete roads. He has also developed a penchant for changing policies. This has made many employers to continue sacking our members at ease. We don’t have other means to protect them. If you don’t jobs, where will you put them?

“Against, another problem that needs urgent fixing is the issue of casualisation of workers in our industry. You don’t expect a worker on the job not to have insurance policy. As a union, we have been crying for all workers in the industry should be normalised so they can work like normal human beings,” he stated.