Association Condemns Infiltration Of Foreign Welders, Fitters

The Nigerian Welders And Fitters Association (NIWELFA) has raised alarm over the continuous infiltration of foreign welders and fitters into the Nigerian work force.

National president of the association, Chief  Joseph Awala Inone who said this during the inauguration of the Rivers State chapter of the association last weekend in Port Harcourt said that the situation is a violation of the local content act and flagrant abuse of expatriate quota by multi-nationals, especially construction firms in the oil and gas sector of the economy.

Chief Inone also urged the federal government to stop the fabrication of engineering components in foreign lands before bringing them into Nigeria for assembly, while federal government should embark on the construction of new refineries to check the incessant scarcity of petroleum products in the country.

The association’s president further urged the federal and state governments to step up efforts in road maintenance and rehabilitation as most of the nation’s major highways have become death trap.

In his goodwill message, the State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr  Chuma Chinye urged young school leavers to embark on self employment centres by acquiring the necessary skills such as; welding and fitting skills which are needed in different oil industries.

The commissioner who was represented by a deputy director in the ministry, Mr. Nwaniwu Leonard also said that the State government will partner with the association in harnessing the state human and material resources in small and medium scale industries.

He stressed the need for members to learn to access funds from micro finance banks, commercial banks and other related financial institutions to boost small and medium enterprises in the state.

The State chairman of the association, Comrade Obioma Henry Azundah promised to liaise with the national office in the running of the association.

Comrade Azundah also said that his administration would be opened and transparent.