The Nation Newspaper

Tag: influx

  • ‘Influx of foreign products killing our sector’

    The National Union of Chemical Footwear Rubber Leather and Non-Metallic Products Employees (NUCFRLANPE) has said the influx of foreign products is killing the sector, noting that about 10,000 jobs have been lost in two years.

    Its President, Comrade Babtunde Goke Olatunji, said the menace was affecting the manufacturing sector.

    He said  products from other countries, such as China, were heavily subsidised, making it possible for them to be sold at cheaper rates than local goods.

    Olatunji urged the Federal Government to strengthen the regulatory agencies to tackle the problem.

    On the high rate of unemployment, he said aside providing a conducive environment, there was the need for the government to come up with a policy that would encourage local and foreign investors.

    In a related event, Olatunji said maintaining gender balancing in the socio-economic and political space encouraged inclusiveness which was pivotal to our collective growth and development.

    In his message to mark Women’s Day, Olatunji, the Chairman, Industrial Global Union, Nigeria Chapter said: “A balanced world is a better world and as such we need to celebrate women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements and also raise awareness against biasness and discrimination along gender divide. Above all, we need to take action for gender equality.

    “Our patriarchal stereotype is no longer fashionable; the only difference between men and women is just biological role which thus take a dominant part of the human existence. Therefore, equality should be promoted, thus availing balance for better.

    “At the level of Nigeria chapter of IndustriALL Global Union, we will support any policy that promote gender balancing while also engage in advocacy towards gender balanced Nigeria.

    “ It, therefore, behooves on all of us here present to mount pressure on the stakeholders in the socio-economic and political space of Nigeria to ensure equality in the distribution and or allocation of resources and opportunities.

    “Moreover, if the above agrees with our collective consent, I therefore on your behalf appeal to our new President-elect; President Muhamadu Buhari to ensure gender-balance in constituting his cabinet while also replicating same at all levels of Government,” Olatunji said.

  • LADOL, Immigration to check influx of expatriates

    LADOL, Immigration to check influx of expatriates

    Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics (LADOL) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) are seeking ways to curb influx of expatriates into the oil and gas free trade zones across the country.

    The development resulted in a meeting between the Nigerian Immigration Service and LADOL management in Lagos. The discussion centred on how to improve the operation of the nation’s oil and gas by improving indigenous participation in the sector.

    The Nigerian Immigration Service, Comptroller General, Mohammed Babandede, said the command would help in promoting the participation of Nigerians in the energy and other sectors.

    He said NIS would tighten its noose on Oil and Gas Free Trade Zones (FTZs) to make it difficult for expatriates to unduly come into the zones.

    He said the body has decided to embark on strict monitoring of the zones after seeing the job potentials in some of the Oil and Gas Free Trade Zones in the country, especially LADOL Free Trade Zone.

    He said the agency is taking this step  to prevent immigrants or foreigners from taking over some oil and gas jobs, and further promote the local content policy of the Federal Government.

    According to him, it is imperative to look into the activities of foreigners that are coming into Nigeria in order to ascertain their level of fitness.

    Babandede said Nigeria has enough experts to work with, adding that the country should by 2040 be exporting its labour to other countries instead of allowing illegal expatriates to come and take its jobs.

    “The country boasts of experts, mainly graduates that can provide services, hitherto rendered by expatriates.  Technology transfer is stimulating the growth of the economy and Nigeria is benefiting from this idea. NIS, as a service, must assist in providing jobs and safety of the country. Things have changed in Nigeria. Business is not done the way it is being done before.

    “Business is no longer based on corruption.  There is a vision that would take Nigeria to another level. As law enforcement agency, we want to be part of that vision.  We do not want to see ourselves as people who wear uniforms and berets only. We want to see ourselves as contributing to the economic development of the country.  We want to see ourselves as law enforcement agents that would provide jobs and make the society safe,” the NIS boss added.

    He said the Immigration would partner with other law enforcement agents, the management of LADOL Free Zone, technocrats, investors and other stakeholders to protect jobs in the country.

    The Managing Director, LADOL, Ms Amy Jadesimi, reiterated the need to create more jobs in the oil and gas free trade zones, adding it is imperative to move the economy forward.

    She said this can only be possible when foreigners were thoroughly screened before they were allowed into the country, noting that some foreigners do not have the required papers to stay in the country.

    She said the firm has created more jobs for Nigerians than expatriates, adding that LADOL would keep to its vision of providing jobs in the country.

  • ‘Students’-pilots’ influx caused accommodation shortage’

    ‘Students’-pilots’ influx caused accommodation shortage’

    The Rector of the Nigerian College of Aviation College (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State, Capt Chinyere Kalu said yesterday that the influx of students-pilots and other professionals into the college was responsible for accommodation shortage in the institution.

    Students of the college protested the management’s plan to pair students into the supposed single-room hostels.

    The students said the arrangement of having more than one person in a hostel room would jeopardise their privacy and learning.

    In a phone interview, Capt Kalu explained that a block of 70 rooms was inaugurated last year while an executive hostel was opened two years ago to solve the accommodation challenge.

    According to her, the need has become enormous as more students continue to enrol at the college.

    She said: “We have postponed a course two times for some students seeking admission because of accommodation problems.”

    The rector noted that the accommodation challenge was being addressed, as 200 rooms would be ready in the next six months.

    Capt Kalu said in the last 50 years, NCAT has been accommodating one student per room, adding that pairing of students followed their influx to the college.

    She said bunk beds, which were being phased out in the school, would soon be reintroduced.

    The rector explained that accommodation was not compulsory for students because any interested student could have his or her refund to look for accommodation outside the hostels.

     

     

     

     

  • Govt expects influx of foreign investments

    Govt expects influx of foreign investments

    The Federal Government is confident that the country will be drawing more foreign direct investments given increasing competitiveness and desirability to become an investment destination.

    The Minister of State for Industry ,Trade and Investment,Dr Samuel Ortom said the government wa s determined to turn the country’s enormous investment potential into a real flow of foreign capital.

    Ortom was addressing the Ist National Trade Compliance Summit in lagos Yesterday.

    The minister,who spoke through his Special Assistant,Mr David Bigila said the government s determined to create conditions for investment sell it to investors and o persuade them to channel their capital towards the country.

    To this end ,he said the government wants to work with the private sector to improve the perception abroad of the nation’s investment climate.

    Measures to improve the business climate, and remove administrative and corruption hurdles ,he saud are at the top of the government’s economic agenda, adding the government was concerned over slowing economic growth .

    The minister expressed hope, the nation s will be drawing more foreign direct investments , given the country’s increasing competitiveness rating and desirability as an investment destination.