The House of Representatives deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, has demanded skill transfer from foreign companies operating in Nigeria.

He stated that lawmakers would frown at foreign companies refusing to transfer their skills to locals.

Mr Kalu said this when he received a delegation of businesspeople from the Jilin Provincial People’s Congress China in Abuja. 

He said skills transferred would help advance local technology and sustain foreign investments.

Jilin province, known as a home to several automobile manufacturers, including FAW Group Corporation, is one of China’s largest automotive and petrochemical industries, amongst others.

Mr Kalu said the long-existing diplomatic relationship between Nigeria and China via the exchange of ideas was significant to the growth of machinery in the manufacturing sector.

“Equally in this exchange of ideas, it is important to note your capacity in innovations in your significant contributions to the growth of the machinery manufacturing sector’s efforts in promoting food security,” noted the deputy speaker.

He said this was one of President Bola Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ cardinal points, to reduce poverty and hunger in Nigeria through food security.

He said the president was also interested in meeting the demands of the growing population, contributing to advancements in healthcare and the well-being of the people.

Mr Kalu also assured the delegation of legislative intervention by strengthening the laws to realise the needed objectives in the technological sector.

The group’s vice-chairman, Fan Ruiping, said their mission was to seek collaboration with the parliament, noting that they aimed to collaborate with the parliament and the Nigerian Government in manufacturing and technology advancement. 

(NAN)