LABOURlabour@dailytrust.com FG set to replace foreigners with Nigerian workers
The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Industrial Training Fund Mr Joseph Ari has expressed worry over the number of foreigners in certain positions in some sectors of the economy at the expense of Nigerians due to lack of requisite technical skills.
He said the situation not only poses danger in the system, but threatens the attainment of key government policies.
Delivering an address at the flag off of the 2017 National Industrial Skills Development Programme in Awka, Ari said the Federal Government has commenced the process of replacing the foreigners with Nigerians who had acquired skills for such jobs.
He said the programme was aimed at instilling skills in the nation’s teeming population, particularly the young men and women in order to escalate economic recovery and growth.
“It is worrisome that despite the number of Nigerians without work, several surveys, including those conducted by the ITF, have revealed that vacancies exist in some sectors of the economy that are currently being filled by persons other than Nigerians because of the lack of requisite technical skills of our people.
“It was with a view of arresting this problem which represents not only a clear and present danger but also threatens the attainment of key government policies that the ITF conceived the idea of NISDP,“he said.
Represented by the Area Manager ITF, Awka, Mrs Chinwe Opara, the DG disclosed that no fewer than 100,000 Nigerians in over 30 trades and crafts, had undergone training under the programme, adding that most of the beneficiaries had become great entrepreneurs and employers of labour.
The state governor, Chief Willie Obiano, represented by the state commissioner for youths and entrepreneurship, Dr Uju Nwogu, commended the federal government for its commitment in job creation and diversification of the economy as envisioned by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
She assured ITF of the Anambra State government’s willingness to partner it in the training and skill acquisition for the youths in the area.