By EMMANUEL AZIKEN

Chairman of Industrial Training Fund, ITF, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, has expressed caution over the continued importation into the country of skilled labour currently available in the country.

Obanikoro in a briefing in Lagos, weekend, also expressed regrets at what he described as the shortage of funds by the fund as a result of the failure of government agencies.

While noting the strides of the fund since the advent of the new governing board, Senator Obanikoro said: “May I be quick to add at this moment that it is a sad commentary on our nation that up till this moment in our life as a nation, skilled workforce is still imported into our country from other parts of the world, particularly from neighbouring countries.” He promised the determination of the ITF Council to stop the development.

Noting the poor response of contributors to the fund, Senator Obanikoro called on stakeholders to make prompt payment to enable the body carry out its statutory responsibilities.

“It is also in the same breadth that I urge all employers of labour that are liable under the ITF Amended Act to meet their statutory obligation by promptly remitting their contribution.

“Although, responses to the Act have considerably improved, a greater percentage of potential contributors are still not remitting. The provision of necessary infrastructure for skills acquisition is capital intensive and a very expensive venture, which will be made easier, if everybody fulfills their obligation.”

He noted that the three tiers of government have fallen behind in their contributions to the fund.

All employers of labour with more than five employees he said, are expected to contribute one percent of their wage bill to the fund.