FG seeks partnership to revamp skills’ workshop in Lagos

Decries colossal loss in development

The Federal Government has said that it is looking for a partnership in revamping moribund Ministry of Works & Housing Central Workshop at Ijora, Lagos, to boost its skills development agenda.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Housing, Alhaji Babangida Hussaini, disclosed this, yesterday when he led officials of the ministry on an assessment tour of facilities in the workshop that was the nation’s mechanical and electrical hub in the 70s and 80s.

He lamented the loss of track in Nigeria’s policy direction in addressing unemployment and skills development, stressing that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is poised to restore the lost glory of the workshop to boost its employment agenda.

Hussaini pledged to revamp the dilapidated state of the centre before December in line with President Buhari’s vision to lift one million Nigerians out of poverty.

According to him, the idea was to assess the state of facilities and equipment in the centre and review its operation to meet the demands of the 20th Century population.

He said that turning around the centre would help in addressing unemployment in the country.

“Skills acquisition is key to revamping and turning around the fortune of the country.

“In the 70s and 80s, the centre was a hub for artisans, craftsmen and medium calibrators where all major mechanical and electrical works were done here.

“We have several ideas. We are looking at partnership agreements with any willing company or concessionaire, who want to work with the government to facilitate the effective utilisation of the resources in the centre.

“It is something that will really work to improve the skill requirement of artisans and the nation generally.”