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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
House of Representatives has said it expects foreign companies operating in the country to transfer skills to Nigerians, so as to advance local technology and sustain foreign investments.
The Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who stated this, yesterday, said the parliament frowned at foreign companies operating in Nigeria, refusing to transfer skills to the locals.
Kalu spoke when he received a delegation of businessmen from the Jilin Provincial People’s Congress China who paid him a courtesy call at the National Assembly.
While acknowledging the long existing diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and China, he stated that exchange of idea was significant to the growth of machinery in the manufacturing sector.
“We have also heard of the companies from the province interested in operating in Nigeria or operating in Nigeria. Our intention is that there will be skills transfer in such relationships.
“Situations whereby investors are here and skills are not transferred is actually frowned at by the legislative arm of government. We want investors that will come into Nigeria and help us advance our technology, various sectors of the economy and in doing that, transfer skills.
“That will make your transfer of knowledge and your investments here in the country, the advancement of the technological sector more sustainable because sustainability is driven by knowledge. Whatever you bring on board to us, we will adapt based on our unique situation to enable us impact positively in the sectors that you are interested in”.
Kalu also assured the delegation of legislative intervention, by way of strengthening the laws to realize the needed objectives in the technological sector.
“As a parliament, we recognize the significance of strengthening diplomatic relations and promoting mutual understanding between nations. The exchange of ideas and experiences between our legislative bodies will undoubtedly contribute to the progress of our respective societies and the promotion of global peace and prosperity.”
