The Federation of Construction Industry (FOCI) has suggested that the construction industry will witness phenomenal growth soonest .
That was the position stakeholders took at the FOCI 63rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja on Wednesday July 3, 2019.
President of FOCI, Nasiru Dantata had informed the gathering that President Muhammadu Buhari recently assented to the Engineering Registration Amendment Act, 2019.
Danbata spoke as the President of the Council of Registered Engineers in Nigeria (COREN) said FOCI is now statutorily represented in the Council of Council of Registered Engineers in Nigeria (COREN).
The AGM that held at the iconic Fraser Hotel and Suites Abuja, was attended by the crème-dela-crème of the construction industry in Nigeria including chief executives, executive directors, and managers of every registered and worthy construction company in Nigeria.
Also in attendance with goodwill messages to FOCI were the President of the Council of Registered Engineers in Nigeria (COREN), the President of the Nigerian Institute of Building (NIOB), as well as the Director-General of the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA).
The President of the Nigerian Institute of Building, Kenneth Nnabuife Nduka, in his goodwill message, enjoined FOCI members to pursue excellence in resource mobilisation and utilisation to prevent structure collapse.
He also urged government and other clients to avoid delay of valid certificates and pay FOCI members as and when due. This he said would prevent injurious cost overruns on contractor revenues, and guarantee desirable corporate stability and sustainability.
On his part, the Director-General of the Nigerian Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Mr Olawale Timothy, eulogised the symbiotic relationship between FOCI and NECA.
He urged FOCI to continue its important mandate of standing in the gap for organised business and its teeming workforce, to deliver value for all stakeholders. He also urged FOCI members to continue their progressive support for the body.
Danbata in his address said that despite the delay in signing the 2018 national budget, which caused some increased fiscal uncertainty, “it is heartwarming to note that in spite of this shaky start, the fiscal deficit narrowed in 2018.”
Dantata added that, with the 2019 “Budget of Continuity” of N8.92 trillion which was signed into law on 27th May, 2019, “the real GDP is projected to grow by 2.3% in 2019 to 2.4% in 2020 as implementation of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan gains pace…. We are hopeful that the Construction Industry will grow to the next level and we expect some stability due to the continuity in government.
“We appreciate our Unions for the peaceful and cordial industrial relations within the Construction Industry. Our National Joint Industrial Council shall negotiate terms and conditions for Employees this year. We wish them successful negotiations.”
He went further to remind members and stakeholders of FOCI’s desire for an iconic building in Abuja “which would serve as FOCI Head office, appropriate meeting place/conference center and additional source of income for FOCI.”
Dignitaries from all works of life attended the event, mainly members and those in related profession.