Artisans Urge President-elect On Overhauling of ITF, SMEDAN, NDE

Artisans, under the auspices of the Association of Nigeria Artisans and Technicians (ASNAT), in conjunction with the Rikiji Foundation, have called on President-elect, Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu to prioritise the overhauling of Small & Medium Enterprises Development Association of Nigeria(SMEDAN), National Directorate of Employment(NDE] and Industrial Training Fund (ITF) over performing below the expectations of Nigerians.

Citing the non-performance in lifting the small and medium enterprises and setbacks brought upon the sector by ITF, NDE and SMEDAN as reasons for his call, the leadership of ASNAT, Hon Sanusi Gusau, lamented that the agencies have failed in their responsibilities as movers of Nigeria’s micro economy and service providers.

Gusau, who is the director of Artisans and Technicians, and also the APC Presidential Campaign Council Directorate, in a press conference stated: we therefore humbly call upon the leadership of the incoming administration for the total overhauling of agencies like the SMEDAN, NDE, and Industrial Training Fund (ITF) for an effective economic revitalization and enhanced productivity in the country by improving on small and agro-allied industries thereby creating employment opportunities, increasing our Gross Domestic Products (GDP), addressing the issues of youth restiveness and insecurity in the country.”

Gusau expressing the association’s worry that SMEDAN, set up to be the voice of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), NDE, meant to contribute substantially to financing of micro business enterprise and ITF, meant to promote and encourage the acquisition skills in industries with a view of generating job opportunities, have all failed in promoting and providing access to industrial infrastructures.

The group claimed that, as contributor to the election of Tinubu: “We would like to send out a strict warning to those who are trying to discredit the outcome of the presidential election, we are saying it loud and clear that we the artisans voted and contributed about five million votes to the presidential election and we are more than ready to defend our votes, elections have come and gone, and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu won fairly and squarely.”