FMST inaugurates committee on welding to promote local content

On Thursday, the Minister of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu inaugurated committees on drafting of National Policy on Welding as well as National status survey welding and related fields to promote and enhance local content in the realization of National goal industrialisation of the country.

He said the Federal Government recognizes the importance of welding in the nation’s economy development.

“This was designed to create a career path for persons willing to acquire necessary skills in welding and related fields, that can receive National Certification issued by the the Nigerian Institute of Welding (NIW). As a result of this, in addition to the desire of government to promote rapid industrialization, serious efforts are ongoing to revive the Steel Industry in the country,” he added.

He said NIW would work with National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) to achieve the noble goal with three months time frame to prepare the necessary documents for FEC consideration and approval.

The FMST boss said the policy would reposition Nigeria in the practice of welding and welding related activities, which includes construction manufacturing, production, training, quality control and assurance.

Speaking, the President of Nigerian Institute of Welding (NIW) Mr. Solomon said there was need to create a solid government influence in the practice of welding in Nigeria, saying the establishment of the policy would strengthen the implementation of the Presidential Executive Order No.5.

He said the members of the committees were carefully selected to cut across various sectors from the industry and the private sector as well as government institutions.

The Chairman of the Drafting of National Policy on Welding and its related fields, Prof. Okechukwu Ukwuoma  there was need to enhance welding capacity as a vital tool in economic development with the potential of growing Nigeria’s GDP by eight million dollar to 10 million dollars annually.l

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