Call To Channel Extra Cash Into Construction

The SDLP Foyle MLA Colum Eastwood has said that the additional £156m in capital expenditure, announced by the Chancellor in his Autumn statement this week should be acutely targeted into maximisation of jobs within the 'shattered construction sector'.

Mr Eastwood has called on Stormont's Finance Minister, Sammy Wilson, to target 'shovel ready' projects in order to sustain and grow current employment within the construction sector.

Mr Eastwood said: "There have been few spared by the force of the economic tsunami which has buffeted this island over the last number of years.

"A succession of unemployment, debt and fiscal figures have acted as headlines to the undercurrent of real hardship experienced by ordinary families. Every sector of this society, be it public or private, have felt the malign reverberations of this recession.

"It is common knowledge, however, that our local construction sector has been particularly badly hit.

"Previously thriving firms have been forced to close altogether or to lay off a large portion of their staff. This has significantly added to our dole queue and particularly impacted upon young men whose experience and knowledge has lain solely in the building and construction trade," he said.

"In order stimulate a segment of growth within this struggling sector, Sammy Wilson should move speedily to allocate these additional monies to 'shovel ready' projects.

"The infrastructure needs of the North West are clear, there is a desperate requirement for more social housing in addition to the bigger road and rail projects. The logic of such a move is unquestionable."

(CD)