Lagos unveils compendium of tradesmen, artisans
In a move aimed at repositioning the informal sector to effectively add value to the Lagos economy, the government on Thursday unveiled a compendium of 20,000 registered tradesmen and artisans in the state.
The governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, says the compendium will differentiate authentic artisans from those operating illegally in the state, and that going forward, only the registered artisans and tradesmen will be patronised by the government.
Ambode says the government has also opened an online portal to facilitate interaction among the artisans, medium and small-scale enterprises as well as customers and end-users of their products.
The governor says the primary goal of the online portal is to ensure that people in need of quality service are able to meet and interact with reliable and verified service providers across the state.
“It is also aimed at enhancing the productivity, competitiveness, creativity and vitality of the sector,” he says, adding, “in this modern time, successful businesses are driven by technology and innovative ideas.
“It will be difficult for you to survive and stay ahead of your competitors if you continue to do things the old way and fail to key into the current reality. There is no aspect of your trade or vocation that you cannot apply technology to improve on quality, efficiency and productivity.”
He assures that government will continue to implement policies and incentives aimed at improving their productive capacity as the growth and profitability of the sector remain a top priority.
“Our state is one of the fastest growing economies in the world and it presents great opportunities that are waiting to be tapped and challenges which you are the solution provider. Your training has been designed to address the skills mismatch and provide the right mix of skills needed to service the industrial needs of the state. This administration has a clear focus on all our initiatives and believes in the potential and innovative capacity of Lagos artisans.”
Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, commissioner for wealth creation and employment, on his part, says the artisan and tradesmen have been taking through intensive eight-day training in their areas of trade.