FOCI Congratulates Jonathan, Buhari, Nigerians for Successful Elections

Appeals to FG to offset N500bn debt

in Abuja The Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI), which is the umbrella organisation for Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, Sub-contractors, and Plant and Equipment Suppliers, has congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan for the success of the recent general elections in Nigeria.

The President of FOCI, Solomon Ogunbusola, in a statement yesterday in Abuja, commended Jonathan for what he described as the “exceptional show of statesmanship” that ensured the peaceful outcome of the elections.

Ogunbusola also lauded Nigerians, and as well as the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd.) for such a historic election that is generally regarded as violence-free, fair and credible.

He also used the opportunity to draw attention to their profession, noting that the association has contributed in a great measure to the construction of modern Nigeria since FOCI’s incorporation in 1954.

However, Ogubunsola said, it was distressing to observe that many construction firms are on the verge of collapse as a result of the huge debts owned by the Federal, States and Local Governments.

He said: “Reliable sources confirm that over N500 billion is owned by the Federal Government alone. This has led to loss of jobs within the industry. We wish to bring to your notice that at present, the construction companies generally are working at 30 per cent capacity following the mass retrenchment of our workers due to delay/non-payment of certified jobs by various arms of government”. He further expressed FOCI’s concern that if the situation is not arrested in good time, it could lead to further loss of jobs and eventual collapse of the construction industries.

The President of FOCI also noted that with over 100 registered members of the federation including but not limited to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Dantata & Sawoe, Cappa & D’ Alberto Plc, S & M Nigeria Ltd., Setraco Nigeria Ltd., P.W Nigeria Ltd, Gilmor Nigeria Ltd, Zebercel Ltd. among others are operating below 40 per cent staff strength due to mass retrenchment.

“FOCI therefore appeals to both the President and incoming administration for urgent and immediate intervention”, he said. The executives and members of Okun Development Association living in Lagos and Ogun states have joined millions of lovers of ‘Change in Nigeria’ in congratulating Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) for his overwhelming victory as the President-elect in the March 28poll. Themovewasspearheadedby the Patrons of the association, including Sir. Claudius Olusegun Olorunfemi, Engr. MohammedAliu Elewonibi, and the Chairman, Chief (Engineer) Akere Owoniyi; according to a statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of the association, Mr. Odunayo Joseph.

“With the wise choice of GMB and his vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN by the people the age-long prayer for emergence of an egalitarian society and well-meaningful living in all ramifications has been answered by God.

“The Association also extends its congratulatory message to Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode for his hardwon triumph of hope in continuity of good governance and provision of dividends of democracy to Lagosians as the Governor-elect for Lagos State, and to the exemplary hard-working Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun state for his well-deserved re-election as the state governor in the April 11 gubernatorialelectioninNigeria”, thestatement noted.

The association also hailed the impact of the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in Nigeria’s 54 years of existence as an independent nation “for his age-long relentless andrigorouscampaignswhichhave visiblyandundoubtedlycontributed significantly to the actualisation of the cries of the down-trodden masses for change in Nigeria. His name will be written in gold as one of the outstanding agents of change in the history of Nigeria.” The association also thanked outgoing Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State as a workaholic character and an astute provider of the dividends of democracy in the real sense of the word.