Nigeria has competent contractors – FOCI

The Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) has given assurance that the companies under the industry’s umbrella are competent contractors with enough hands and equipment to execute projects.

Speaking in Abuja at FOCI’s recently held 62nd Annual General Meeting (AGM), FOCI President, Nasiru Dantata, said the government has contracted some new key projects to member companies.

Dantata, who is also the Executive Director, Dantata & Sawoe Construction Co., blamed lack of skilled and trained workers who can perform required tasks for growing unemployment in the country.

He said that was why construction companies were reluctant to hire graduates.

“The issue is finding capable hands because we don’t have as many trained professionals as we would like to at the moment. We employ few engineers, but many artisans. So it is the issue of artisans: masons, carpenters, and operators of heavy-duty machineries.

“We are looking into training Nigerians so that when construction companies are expanding, we will be able to find skilled hands for the jobs,” he said.

He confirmed that the Federal Government has paid over half of the N300 billion which was owed contractors, adding that the payment made it possible for member companies to resume work on several roads across the country.