Firm urges FG to encourage indigenous contractors, reduce taxes

To position Nigeria on the path of infrastructural boom, a leading indigenous construction company, Construction Kaiser Limited (CKL) has urged government to encourage indigenous construction firms by giving them jobs and reducing their taxes.

Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mr. Igbuan Okaisabor who disclosed this at a briefing to celebrate CKL’s 25th years anniversary, also wants all levels of government to honour their contractual agreements to encourage both local and foreign investments.

While lamenting difficult operating environment, Okaisabor called for the downward reform on the holding tax regime from 5 per cent to 2.5 per cent.

According to him, Nigeria economy is still in recess as it is still based on the vagaries of International oil market, hence the need to encourage indigenous construction firms by giving them jobs and reducing with holding taxes.

He noted that government need to encourage private sector to go for infrastructural development by honouring obligations and having a predictable system since infrastructural projects take many years to break even..

Okaisabor stressed tha since Public Private Participation (PPP) model is key to our nation’s development, a system where a new government came in and cancel concession agreement do not encourage foreign investors, hence government should be fair to them and encourage them as money smells good deals.

He said the company established in 1993 out of the sheer determination to take over form expatriate monopoly in the construction space has been at the forefront of providing world-class construction services in Nigeria.

According to him, CKL has successfully maintained global standards while being committed to developing local talent, empowering Nigerians and building a sustainable future.

“Starting as a small 5-man organization carrying out minor renovation works, CKL has grown to become a national force in the Nigerian construction industry. With offices in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt and staff strength of over 220 professionals, CKL has grown in leaps and bound in its commitment to provide world-class services and impact the society positively.

“Over the years, CKL has created value through affiliate companies: M & E Kaiser Limited (Mechanical, Electrical and Plumbing Installation Works) and KaiserLite; providing a one-stop construction shop”, he said.

Beyond offering Industrial, Commercial and Residential services, CKL , he said, passionate about creating shared value in the society, hence the birth of Kaiser Foundation for Social Development (KFSD) in 2016.

Speaking further, the General Manager in charge of programme, Mrs. Faith Ezeugoh said, the STEM scheme, started in 2016 for secondary school students in Nigeria, within the age range of 13 -18 years or in JSS3 to SSS3 classes is aimed he aim at introducing students to the construction industry market segments, opportunities, skill sets and professions at an early age and ultimately develop their interest in the construction sector.

Participants, she said, are introduced to leadership skills, teamwork, critical thinking, logical reasoning and ethical ways of doing things, while the youth mentoring programme is designed to empower youths in ‘all things construction’.

It also provides a platform for our STEM Construction Summer Camp Alumni (Mentees) to work during holidays, together with more experienced people (Mentors), on live training sites.