The Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association, CCESSA, and the National Union of Civil Engineering Construction Furniture and Wood Workers, NUCECFWW, have raised alarm over the looming threat of job losses in the construction industry.
In a joint press briefing held in Abuja, the presidents of both unions, Ayodeji Adeyemo and Stephen Okoro respectively, shed light on the dire consequences of an ongoing crisis between contractors and the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi.
The unions expressed deep concern over Umahi’s unilateral imposition of new standard conditions of contracts, which diverge from those previously approved by the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP.
They claim that this disagreement has led to a slowdown in contract execution, exacerbating tensions within the industry and resulting in mass layoff of about 52,000 Nigeria workers, who are members of the unions.
According to them, the repercussions of these job losses extend beyond individual livelihoods, posing a significant threat to the economy and contradicting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renew Hope Agenda.
They stated that “we have lost over 50 percent of our members as a result of the disagreement; this situation is bound to further increase poverty and insecurity that the country is grappling with.”
Consequently, the union leaders, call on the federal government to immediately resolve the conflict in the industry by involving all stakeholders in contract awards like Bureau of Public procurement, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of works, Council for Regulation of Engineers in Nigeria, COREN, Federation of Construction Industry, FOCI, etc.
“Put an end to banditry, kidnappings and killings that have been going on in the country, and ensure the safety of our members and all Nigerians in any part of the country.
“Curb inflation that makes the meagre salary of workers worthless as regards its purchasing power. The cost of commodities in the market has constantly been on the rise with workers salary depreciating in value. Government should do more to stabilize the economy.
“Government must device means of stabilizing the Naira against foreign currencies and encourage local productions and consumptions.
“Finally we urge the Minister of Works; the Federation of Construction Industry and all concerned to amicably resolve the current conflict within twenty one (21) days. Otherwise, the two unions will be compelled to declare industrial actions in the construction industry in Nigeria to address these issues to prevent further lose of jobs of our members.”
