The Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, assured artisans/tradesmen in the state of his administration’s commitment to scale up funding for the sector.
Speaking at the 14th Tradesmen and Artisans Day celebration held at the Blue Roof, Lagos Television, Agidingbi, the governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Establishment and Training, Mr Afolabi Ayantayo, said his administration had put in place a series of empowerment programmes to prepare artisans in the state “to think global and provide local solutions.”
Acknowledging the artisans as key contributors to economic growth, employment generation and wealth creation in the state, Sanwo-Olu said his government would continue to develop “innovative solutions that address the challenges” of the sector and create the enabling environment for improved productivity.
“As a government that is responsive to the needs of the people, we will continue to explore ways to make sure we cushion the effects of these policies; we will do everything within our power to support you at this time and ensure that you feel the impact of our good governance.
“We will continue to improve the capacity of the relevant government agencies and institutions, including the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund, and continue to support small-scale businesses with access to funds.
“Our passion to enhance the growth of this sector and prosperity of all stakeholders has been demonstrated by the implementation of various programmes through the Ministry of Wealth Creation and Employment and collaboration with other government agencies and the private sector,” the governor said.
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr Akinyemi Ajigbotafe, appealed for the upward review of the annual subvention from N6m to N12m.
