Lagos State House of Assembly has adopted the report of the House Committee on Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives on the ‘’Bill for a Law to Establish the Lagos State Artisans and Craftsmen Regulatory Board, to Regulate the Registration and Activities of Artisans and Craftsmen in Lagos State and for Connected Purposes’’.
The report was presented before the House during plenary on Monday. It would be recalled that the Bill had earlier undergone a public hearing, where relevant stakeholders made contributions and expressed their views on the proposed legislation.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Tobun Abiodun, highlighted the importance of the proposed legislation, noting that artisans and craftsmen constitute a vital component of the State’s economy and contribute significantly to employment generation.
He stated that the rapid growth and diversity of the sector had made it imperative to establish an effective regulatory framework to promote professionalism, competence, safety and accountability.
According to him, the proposed Board would be responsible for regulating and standardising the registration, training, certification and professional conduct of artisans and craftsmen operating in the State.
Hon. Tobun explained that the Bill seeks to ensure that practitioners possess the requisite skills and competence to deliver quality services, improve productivity and competitiveness, enhance public confidence and protect consumers against substandard workmanship and unqualified practitioners.
He added that the proposed legislation would also safeguard the interests and welfare of registered artisans and craftsmen while creating an enabling environment for their growth and development.
The Committee Chairman further disclosed that the Bill contains provisions to facilitate artisans’ access to government funding, financial assistance and other support programmes to enable them to expand their businesses, acquire modern tools and equipment, upgrade their skills and contribute meaningfully to the State’s economic development.
Among the recommendations of the Committee was that the General Manager of the Board should be appointed by the Governor on the recommendation of the Commissioner and subject to confirmation by the House.
The Committee also recommended that foreign nationals who have acquired relevant training, qualifications or practical experience as artisans or craftsmen outside Nigeria should be eligible to apply for registration.
Furthermore, the proposed Board is expected to collaborate with the Lagos State Vocational and Technical Education Board, relevant vocational institutions and other government agencies to provide continuing education, refresher training and skills-upgrading programmes for registered artisans and craftsmen.
Following deliberations, the House adopted the Committee’s report as the resolution of the House.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who presided over the plenary, consequently directed the Clerk of the House, Mrs. Adenike Oshinowo, to forward a clean copy of the Bill to the Governor for assent.
For a better society
_______________________________
Follow us across our platforms:
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/championnewsonline/
Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/championnewsonline
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/company/champion-newspapers-limited/
https://x.com/championnewsng/
You can also like and comment on our YouTube videos.
https://youtu.be/QIBfD1tT80w?si=R4Qf3so2LxYu3GC2
