Neglect of Tradesmen, artisans dangerous – Hon. Alli Taofeek

A member representing Mushin Federal Constituency of Lagos State, Hon.Alli Adeyemi Taofeek has said that neglect of tradesmen- welders, automobile mechanics, photographers, vulcanizers etc by government will pose a big challenge to the nation, calling on the government to pay adequate attention to them.

In an interview with THE LEGISLATURE, Taofeek over the years, the government’s programme for this set of people hardly have positive impact on them because there is no databank.
“Let me tell you that this group of people such as the welders, automobile mechanics, photographers, vulcanizers, electricians, computer operators, technicians, make-up-artists, rationalists, interior decorators, bead-makers etc are major employers of labour in this country.
“They create job opportunities and thereby reducing unemployment and crimes.
“There is need to have a databank for them. We need to know their i1qtity, how many of them are Nigerians, their names, location of business and the type of business they do should be captured.
“This will enable whatever programme government have for them to eventually get to them.

“It is in view of this that I recently presented a motion at the floor of the House of Representatives calling on the government to give financial support to the youths who have acquired skills in order to expand their business.
“Their encouragement will make many others who are unemployed to embrace artisanship and a productive venture which will help in reducing social ills and contribute to economic growth and development.
“It is also in view of this that the House resolved that the Federal Ministry of Labour, Employment and Productivity in conjunction with the National Bureau of Statistics and National Directorate of Employment to ascertain the number of artisans of different trades in the country and come up with a comprehensive databank to enable the government support them.”
Speaking on the danger inefficient power supply poses to the business in Nigeria, Taofeek said without steady power supply no business can grow.
“You will recall that I earlier presented a motion on this issue of epileptic power supply using Mushin as a case study.
He called on Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of DISCOS as stipulated in the responsibility of the commission in order to ameliorate the suffering of the people due to low electricity supply and arbitrary estimated bills.