Why construction workers’ welfare matters as FG improves connectivity
Across many road construction sites in Nigeria, there is a concern.
Many engineers and casual workers, including iron benders, diligently building Nigerian roads struggle daily with poor feeding and inadequate safety support.
Their basic welfare is sometimes neglected even when they work day and night.
At some sites, these workers survive on bread and carbonated drinks.
Analyst strongly believe that such foods are not enough for labourers, who spend hours bending iron, lifting heavy materials and working under the sun.
An engineer, who preferred to be anonymous, regrets that construction workers posted to remote project locations face tougher situations.
According to him, in many of such areas, there are no food vendors, and leaving the site during work hours is often impossible.
“As a result, some workers go through the day hungry or poorly fed,” he says.
He is of the opinion that interventions by contractors can make a huge difference.
The engineer says a major intervention can be provision of least one decent meal per day, especially lunch, to restore energy, improve concentration and reduce health risks.
A casual worker at a federal road project site, Mr Charles Ugbe, is convinced that a well-fed worker will be productive, more focused and less likely to suffer accidents on site.
For him, beyond feeding, there are concerns about safety.
He claims that engineers and other workers on project sites, sometimes, argue with contractors before they are given essential items such as coverall, safety boots, helmets and other protective equipment.
Ugbe believes that this should not be so, as protective gear is a right and a necessity in high-risk sites such as road project sites.
He is satisfied that the Federal Government through the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has made road construction a national priority, investing huge resources to improve connectivity and promote economic growth.
He urges that this commitment should reflect in contractors’ treatment of construction workers.
A rights activist, Mr Olanrewaju Oputu, notes that roads can be rebuilt but human lives cannot be replaced.
“When workers are hungry, tired and poorly protected, the risk of accidents increases and the quality of work can suffer.
“Treating construction workers well is not just a moral duty but also good project management,” he argues.
He urges governments to encourage contractors and, where necessary, compel them to include construction workers’ welfare in project planning and budgeting.
Oputu urges that provision of regular meals, clean water and safety equipment as well as availability of general good working conditions should be a standard practice.
He advises that as Nigeria pushes for massive infrastructure development, adequate attention should be paid to the welfare of those on the frontline.
Mr Olumide Adewebi, Vice President, West African Region of the Commonwealth Association for Surveying and Land Economy, and Chief Executive Officer of Geosys Nigeria, strongly believes that construction workers’ welfare deserves more attention.
According to him, there is no doubt that the Federal Government has rightly prioritised road construction.
He urges equally that this commitment should be reflected in the welfare of those physically executing the projects often under challenging conditions.
“When you compare this with what happens in the oil and gas sector, the contrast is obvious.
“In oil and gas operations, especially in remote or offshore locations, workers’ welfare is treated as an integral part of project planning.
“Meals, rest periods, accommodation, healthcare, and fatigue management are not optional; they are built into operations because the industry recognises that human performance, safety, and productivity are inseparable.
“Workers’ welfare should not be viewed as a cost burden. It is a risk management and quality assurance issue.
“Hunger, fatigue, and stress increase the likelihood of mistakes, accidents and health challenges, all of which can ultimately delay projects and increase costs,” he argues.
Adewebi calls for structured meal arrangements, provision of potable water, rest facilities and proper shift management as standard components of construction project execution.
Analysts urge adequate welfare of construction workers, emphasising increased awareness of its importance as a major step toward aligning construction practices with acceptable standards.
