Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Wednesday reassured Lagosians that government would continue to work in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to design and execute programmes to enhance the productivity of Tradesmen and Artisans across the State.
The Governor, who gave the assurance through the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Tunji Bello at the 9th edition of Tradesmen and Artisans' Week & Graduation Ceremony for Retrained Artisans at De Blue Roof, LTV 8 Compound, Agidingbi, Ikeja, said that growing the capacity of Tradesmen and Artisans is a key component of productivity that cannot be ignored.
He said in the last three and half years, through the Ministry of Wealth Creation, the government has shown unwavering commitment to the empowerment of Tradesmen and Artisans in Lagos State.
According to him, "In line with our policy of inclusion, we have continued to invest heavily in programmes that have benefitted individuals and groups particularly under the State Employment Trust Fund (ETF)".
He explained that through these programmes, the government had succeeded in giving a higher sense of belonging to artisans and tradesmen in the State, stressing that such professionals had stepped up their skills to meet up with current global standards.
Ambode assured Lagosians of the sustenance of the programme by an All Progressives Congress (APC) controlled government in the State as the programme is embedded in the manifesto of the party.
He said aside from providing a platform for individuals and groups to contribute their quota to the economic development of Lagos State, the government recognised and celebrated the progress made by the Artisans and Tradesmen.
The Governor said it is generally accepted today that the advancement of a nation from poverty to prosperity is not a technical process but rather a transformation process.
He said the government had worked tirelessly to restore the feeling of dignity in labour and reinforced the importance of artisans and tradesmen as an important sector of the economy.
While noting that the yearly event provides a great opportunity for interaction, networking, and other activities of the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment, Governor Ambode declared that the local artisans and tradesmen now have products whose quality of output can compete favourably with those of their counterparts in neighbouring countries and sub-region.
He commended the President, the Executives and members of the Lagos State Council for Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA), organisations and individuals from the private sector for their support towards improving the competencies and socio-economic conditions of the Artisans.
Ambode urged the graduates of the artisans’ up-skilling training program to take advantage of the opportunities provided for financial independence and become employers of labour in order contribute their quota to the growth and development of the State economy.
Earlier in her address, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf said the State Government would continue to foster the creation of an enabling environment for artisans through the access to market, finance and capacity building by partnering with the private sector.
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