…Launches national policy on welding, strategy implementation
By Victoria Onyisi
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji on Monday launched the National Policy on the Welding sector and its strategy implementation action plan which he said is expected to leapfrog Nigeria into its industrialization space.
The implemtation of the policy, stakeholders averred will address the influx of more than 11,000 foreign artisans and welders who were said to be involved in the built of the Dangote refinery in Lagos.
Speaking at the launch, Nnaji, said the occasion marks a significant milestone as we launch the National Policy on Welding and Welding-Related Fields and its Strategy Implementation Action Plan.
“This policy, along with its strategy implementation plan, is a significant step towards promoting the local production of goods and empowering Nigerian welders to work locally and internationally.” He said.
According to him, the policy is a response to the long standing issue of neglect and lack of regulation in the welding sector, long left in the hands of uncertified personnel.
He said: “The Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science, and Technology recognizes the importance of welding for the nation’s socio-economic development and has taken this crucial step to address the issue.
“By launching this National Policy on Welding, this Ministry, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu strategically fast tracks Nigeria’s industrialization by emphasizing ‘Standardized practices, quality enhancement, and innovation in welding across diverse sectors.
“We envision a self-sufficient and globally competitive Nigerian welding sector contributing significantly to the international supply chain.
“It is concerning that the lack of internationally recognized – certification of industry practitioners has prevented our indigenous welding sector, which should be making a substantial contribution to Nigeria’s economy, from exploiting myriads of opportunities, particularly in the oil and gas industry and exporting them to an influx of foreign welding personnel.
The Minister underscored that because the global welding market emphasizes international certification of its service suppliers, there is little room for our local welding professionals to showcase their talents and potential unless we consciously and progressively certify existing capacities and regulate the practice.
Consequently, he explained that government has introduced the National Policy on Welding and Welding Related Fields to address this issue and promote the use of local welding personnel in critical economic sectors.
He said that despite having over 1,000, 000 welders, Nigeria still loses an estimated $10 billion annually in revenue by importing welders with international certification, displacing our local service suppliers due to the lack of acceptable accreditation.
“Research has shown that welders’ contribution to all fabricated products exceeds 70%, with most welder-wage components unwittingly exported.
“The influx of foreign welding personnel, particularly in the oil and gas industry, demands special attention.
“The emphasis on international certification has marginalized local welding professionals, depriving them of opportunities to contribute their expertise. The recent approval of the National Policy on Welding and Welding-Related Fields is a crucial step towards addressing this issue by promoting the utilization of local welding personnel in critical sectors of the economy.
“In line with the policy thrust of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the federal government will collaborate with the institute to establish 6 Centers of Welding excellence in the 6 geopolitical zones.”
These centres, he said will provide training and ISO Certification to local welders, empowering them to work locally and internationally.
The initiative aims to promote local content utilization in alignment with the objectives of Presidential Executive Order No. 5, which seeks to boost local content in production. Implementing this policy is vital for the growth of the manufacturing industry and is a crucial component of our industrialization efforts.
The current global challenges make it more crucial to enhance local content utilization and make Nigeria an export-oriented country for finished products and welding personnel. This policy will not only create employment opportunities but also contribute to the overall industrialization of our dear country.
In his remark, the Chairman of the Board, NIS, Dr. Solomon Edebiri, said it is a new dawn adding: “I congratulate you on this launch today as it heralds a new era for welding Technology development and practice in Nigeria. This policy when implemented, will provide the right platform for the development of technology, SME, informal Sector, human Capacity, infrastructure across all Sectors, equipment manufacturing and quality control improvements.
He said the proper implementation of this policy will save Nigeria over $10 billion lost annually due to capital flight arising from the importation of various cadres of welding personnel into the country for some unjustifiable reasons, either for reason of equity funding on projects or in the name of technical partners’ interest.
On certification, he said: “Most times, they adduce this to lack of competencies in specific welding processes. I’ am glad with the provision for training in this policy, this incompetency claim shall be a thing of the past.
“This policy will re-order Nigeria’s part to national economic development, create the path way for production of finished goods, and have a nation strong on SME and manufacturing. | wish us well as we progress into the implementation stage of this policy.” He said.
