Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association, (CCESSA) of Nigeria has called on the National Assembly to speed up deliberation on the local content bill to ensure that a local content law is established to protect the construction industry from inflow of expatriates .
The Association stated this in a communiqué issued after its Central Executive Committee (CEC) and National Executive Council (NEC) meetings in Kaduna over the weekend.
The Communiqué signed by Comrade Augustine Etafo and Comrade Ezekhunhe Otaru George, National President and Acting General Secretary respectively, stated that the influx of expatriate into the construction industry is still a common occurrence and not abated and called on the three tiers of government to intensify efforts in the creation of jobs for the nations teaming youths.
CCESSA further observed that remuneration package in the industry as gathered by the NJIC agreement is very inadequate saying it does not constitute a living wage for Nigeria workers whereas the expatriate leaves in absolute luxury. This situation according to the NEC in session does not augur well for the industry as its not only disheartening but capable of leading to break down of law and order.
“We condemn the award of contracts to companies who have not registered with FOCI and also deny their senior staff to join union of their choice by laying all manners of excuses. We condemn company executing multi billion naira projects but did not have senior staff but yet employ expatriate outside Nigeria shore. We call on the relevant authorities to bring to book such defaulting companies,” the statement reads.
