President Muhammadu Buhari has tasked the Federal Ministries of Works, Lands, Housing and Urban Development on the speedy revitalisation of the nation’s vocational training centres.
A statement by the president’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said Buhari gave the directive at a meeting with the Board of Directors of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
This came after the president was told that, because of shortage of competent construction workers and artisans in the country, construction companies were forced to bring in skilled expatriates.
“Buhari, therefore, pledged that his administration would move quickly to address the shortage of skilled construction workers in the country.
“He demanded for a comprehensive report on the current status of existing vocational training centres established by the Federal Government across the country.
“He said that his administration would take necessary action to reposition the centres as efficient producers of skilled workers for Nigeria’s building and construction industry,” it said.
According to the statement, the president assured that his administration would ensure that the Building Craft Training School and Skill Improvement Centre in Lagos is fully revamped, staffed and equipped to produce more skilled artisans.
Technicians expected to be trained at the centres, it said, included electricians, brick and block layers, carpenters, painters, welders, fabricators and plumbers.
