Lagos Assembly Seeks Legislation To Register, Regulate Artisans

The proposed legislation aimed at providing a regulatory framework for registration, certification and economic inclusion of artisans and craftsmen in Lagos State has received mixed feelings from stakeholders.

This support for the regulation of activities of artisans and craftsmen across the state was revealed on Wednesday at a public hearing on a “ Law To Establish Lagos State Artisans and Craftsmen Regulatory Board And For Connected Purposes,” held at Lateef Jakande Complex, organised by the House Committee on Industry, Commerce and Cooperatives/Wealth Creation and Employment.

In his welcome address, the chairman of the committee Tobin Abiodun said “Artisans and craftsmen remain part of the Lagos State economic landscape as they provide employment and contribute to the development of the state. However, they face a lot of challenges in the course of doing their jobs.”

Representing the speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the deputy speaker, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, said the bill was particularly important because of the large number of Lagos residents who earn their livelihoods through artisanal and craft activities.

“The importance of the bill is relevant as most of our people are artisans and craftsmen.

It is to regulate and standardise the activities of our craftsmen, protect the interests of our people and regulate the activities of artisans and craftsmen operating within our state,” she said.

Merands further stated that the proposed board would organise workshops and training programmes for practitioners and collaborate with relevant agencies to improve practitioners’ skills.

According to her, “The consumers would have the right to complain about the activities of the practitioners.”

Also speaking, Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Hon. Bankole Ajigbotafe, described the proposed legislation as a positive step towards bringing greater structure to the informal sector.

“This is a good initiative. It is a commendable one. This reflects an intention for certification of artisans and craftsmen,” he said.

Ajigbotafe added that the bill would support regulation of the informal economy, stressing the need for proper emphasis on registration and certification.

“We support the passage of the bill for identification, certification and economic inclusion of artisans and craftsmen,” he said.

The First Vice-President of the Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans, LASCOTA, Toriola Ajayi Rasheed, said artisans had been seeking solutions to challenges surrounding certification and renewal of certificates.

“We as artisans have been agitating on issues relating to the renewal of the certification of our members,” he said.

Representing the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, LASCOPA, Arinola Ayokanbi also made contributions to some provisions of the proposed legislation.