APBN flays alleged government’s over dependence on foreign professionals

THE Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN) has bemoaned the spate at which government engage the services of foreign professional to manage critical sectors of the economy.

     The President of the Association, Foluso Fasoto stated this at the 2015 first quarter board meeting held at the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) secretariat in Lagos.

    Speaking on behalf of the Association, Fasoto lamented that the association, over the years, has been sidelined on issues affecting the growth and development of the nation, adding that Nigerian professionals are not allowed to demonstrate their competence in various areas.

     “Over the years,, the APBN , the umbrella body of all recognized professional institute and association have been side-lined on issues affecting the growth and development of the nation, so much that Nigerians are not allowed to prove their competence in their area of calling. The government would rather import professionals from outside the country to come and do what millions of Nigerian professionals are trained to do.

   “We have met with the relevant government agencies on this issue amongst others that are crucial to the survival of our growing economy, which is inversely related to our political development.

 Fasoto, who pointed out that professional in other emerging economies chart way forward for various country’s economic growth, stressed the need for government to recognize professionals in the country and make them relevant.

     “The 2015 election is yet another opportunity for Nigeria to get it right. Awareness is very high with national, local, business and social groups agitating for relevance and protection of their interest in the coming dispensation. “

     He stressed the need for elected parties to entrench good governance and rule of law in its administration, nothing that the national judicial council need to be rejigged to ensure that judges are people of impeccable character that can guarantee speedy and equitable resolutions.

     He listed sectors that needed government urgent intervention in the country to include: education, energy, refinery, health among other, adding that there was need for professionals to be consulted before policies are formulated in the country.