Abuja — Vice President Namadi Sambo yesterday declared open the 2nd Africa and Middle East Conference of the Building and Wood Workers International (BWI) holding in Abuja.

BWI is a global union of over 12.5 million members representing building construction, forest and wood workers and allied sectors located in 334 unions worldwide.

Sambo, who represented President Goodluck Jonathan at the event which ends tomorrow, commended the construction industry for its role in nation building and the number of people it keeps in employment.

The vice president who was accompanied by the Minister of Labour and Productivity Chief Emeka Wogu, said government is doing a lot to improve infrastructure in the country and will continue to partner the construction sector in moving the country forward.

Goodwill messages were read by President of the National Union of Civil Engineering, Construction, Furniture and Wood Workers Comrade Samuel Adeoye, President of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Omar Abdulwahed and his Trade Union counterpart represented by Comrade Toly.

BWI General Secretary Piet Matosa who delivered a message called for a new thinking in the redistribution of wealth and urged for decent wages in the industry.