Follow Us on Google
- As construction workers seek help
From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Construction and Civil Engineering Senior Staff Association (CCESSA) has decried the wave of insecurity, high cost of living and construction industry crisis ravaging the country.
CCESSA pointed out that it has become difficult for construction workers to thrive in an environment enveloped by insecurity and high cost of living.
Its complaints were contained in a communique issued yesterday after the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting and signed by the National President, Ayodeji Adeyemo, and General Secretary, Sunday James.
According to Adeyemo, “the NEC is deeply concerned about the continuing insecurity in several parts of Nigeria.
“The construction and civil engineering industry cannot thrive in an environment where workers, contractors, engineers, technicians and other professionals are exposed to threats to their lives and property.
“Construction sites in many parts of the country require a secure environment for workers to move freely, equipment to be deployed and projects to proceed without interruption.”
He, therefore called on the Federal Government to: Intensify the fight against terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, communal violence and other forms of criminality; Strengthen intelligence gathering, inter-agency coordination and rapid-response capabilities;
“Provide adequate security for major infrastructure corridors and construction sites; Ensure that communities in areas affected by insecurity are not abandoned to criminal elements and Strengthen the economic and social dimensions of the security response by creating jobs and productive opportunities for young Nigerians.
He acknowledged the Federal Government’s recognition that insecurity is connected to unemployment, poverty and weak grassroots economic opportunities, but that the NEC “urges that security measures be complemented by aggressive job creation and economic empowerment.”
On the rising cost of living, he said the NEC expressed concern about the continued pressure being experienced by Nigerian households as a result of the cost of food, medicines, transportation, construction materials and other essential commodities.
According to him, the current National Bureau of Statistics data continue to show significant price pressures, particularly in food prices.
“The NBS currently reports an all-items inflation rate of 15.39 percent and food inflation of 19.57 percent under the rebased CPI series.
“For workers, the consequences are severe. Wages are being stretched by the increasing cost of food, housing, transportation, healthcare, school fees and other necessities.
“Of particular concern is the rising cost and affordability of medicines and healthcare.
“We commend ongoing Federal Government efforts to strengthen pharmaceutical manufacturing and medicine security, but we urge that these initiatives translate into tangible reductions in the cost of medicines and improved access to healthcare for ordinary Nigerians,” he said.
Therefore, the NEC called for: “Greater measures to stabilise food prices and strengthen domestic food production; Increased support for farmers, agricultural workers and food-processing industries.
“Policies that reduce the cost of transportation and logistics; Increased support for local manufacturing of medicines, construction materials and other essential goods.
“Stronger monitoring against exploitative pricing and anti-competitive practices and Targeted interventions that protect workers and vulnerable households from the effects of high living costs.”
