By CALEB AYANSINA
WORRIED by the dearth of artisans and craftsmen in the nation’s construction industry, the Federal Ministry of Housing, Lands and Urban Development, has unveiled plans to flag off the training of this category of workers at the proposed Craftsmanship Training Centre at Kuje in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The Centre which contract was awarded in 2002, is still under construction. Only the  administration block and a hostel of about 24 rooms were completed in 2007. The site which was later gutted by fire, was also encroached upon by some unidentified persons.

The Minister of Land, Housing and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi who inspected the site, was displeased at the level of work and the way the project was being handled. She directed that the site should be re-surveyed and re-designed.

The Minister who cancelled the allocation of those who have not started work on their plot, ordered that a new allocation be carried out.

Eyakenyi said the government would no longer wait for the Centre to be complete before starting lectures in the school. Against this backdrop, she announced that the school will commence on the existing structures in August.

The Centre that can take about 300 artisans would  be expanded to accommodate the trainers, administrators and other few staff.

“We cannot wait until the entire structures are completed; we can start the school with one building every year. I am going to ensure that the school is started in the next three months. We will put everything in place, students will be admitted, and teachers recruited,” she said.

The minister directed that a Committee to be headed by the Permanent Secretary be set up to correct the error in the allocation.

”I have also instructed that the first allocation should be cancelled and a new one done with priority attention given to those who had paid before. If you have your receipt, you will be given preference and with that we will be able to correct the error,” Eyakeny stated.

The Minister who inspected other mass housing projects in the FCT,  revealed that the government had adopted the American Building Technology System in the building of affordable housing units for the people.

”I came here to see one of the project sites of the ministry handled by the American Building System where they use special America technology to build the housing units. I have seen the construction and each block can be delivered about 10 days after the foundation would have been laid.

“I have gone round and seen the structures; I want to say that I am very impressed about the technology. The former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Robin Sanda was also here with me to give explanation of her role from the US Nexim Bank to back up the Nigerian Government on this project. We intend to replicate the technology in other states,” she stated. Eyakenyi explained that the choice to adopt the system was informed by the fact that it is cheaper to build.