By ADEPOTE AROWOJOBE

The Lagos State House of Assembly has adopted a bill seeking to regulate the activities of artisans and craftsmen, with a view to promoting professionalism, protecting consumers and improving standards in the sector.

The News Agency of Nigeria(,NAN) reports that the bill, titled ,”Lagos State Artisans and Craftsmen Regulatory Board Bill”, seeks to establish a regulatory board responsible for the registration, training, certification and professional conduct of artisans and craftsmen across the state.

The Chairman, House Committee on Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mr Tobun Abiodun,(APC-Epe 1) stated this while presenting the committee’s report during plenary on Monday.

Tobun described artisans and craftsmen as a vital component of the state’s economy, noting that their activities contributed significantly to employment generation and economic development.

“The rapid growth and diversity of the sector had made it necessary to establish an effective regulatory framework to ensure professionalism, competence, safety and accountability,” he said.

According to him, the proposed board will ensure that practitioners possess the requisite skills and competence to deliver quality services.

He explained that the legislation would also improve productivity and competitiveness, enhance public confidence and protect consumers against substandard workmanship and unqualified practitioners.

Tobun said the bill would equally safeguard the interests and welfare of registered artisans while creating an enabling environment for their businesses to thrive.

The lawmaker added that provisions had been made to facilitate artisans’ access to government funding, financial assistance and other support programmes.

He said such interventions would enable practitioners to expand their businesses, acquire modern tools and equipment, upgrade their skills and contribute more effectively to the state’s economic development.

Among the committee’s recommendations was that the General Manager of the proposed board should be appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the commissioner and subject to confirmation by the Assembly.

The committeee also recommended that foreign nationals with relevant training, qualifications or practical experience acquired outside Nigeria should be eligible to apply for registration.

It further proposed collaboration between the board, Lagos State Vocational and Technical Education Board, vocational institutions and relevant government agencies to provide continuing education, refresher training and skills-upgrading programmes.

The bill had earlier undergone a public hearing where relevant stakeholders made contributions and expressed their views on the proposed legislation.

Following deliberations, the lawmakers adopted the committee’s report as the resolution of the House.

The Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the plenary, subsequently directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Adenike Oshinowo, to forward a clean copy of the bill to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent. (NAN)