Artisans congratulate Nigeria at 56, call for support
The Building and Construction Skilled Artisans Association of Nigeria (BACSAAN) on Saturday in Abuja congratulated Nigeria on its 56th Independence Anniversary.
The President of the Association, Alhaji Fasasi Jamiu, gave the congratulatory message at the association’s meeting held in Abuja.
Jamiu, then, called on the Federal Government to support artisans in the country for better service delivery.
He said that government’s support was needed for BACSAAN members across the nation to enable them to contribute to nation building.
He said that government’s support would also enable artisans to contribute to the development of the country by empowering people to address unemployment.
The president explained that the association which comprised builders, bricklayers, hair dressers, carpenters, shoe makers, among others, needed support to also train upcoming artisans in different states.
“We have a data base of registered members in Nigeria under one umbrella body, we train members, graduates, under graduates, people at the grass roots, and we do retraining too.
“Our work is to ensure that there are no issues emanating from our members to avoid cases of building collapse.
“We also have people living with disabilities as trainees.
“We have valued skills acquisition for unemployed school leavers and the less privileged.
“We promote cooperation and enhance the performance of members who are into building and construction work, among others,’’ he said.
Jamiu called on artisans in the country to join the association.
In his contribution, Mr. Abdullahi Silas, BACSAAN Coordinator for Gombe State, said that the association which was registered in 2010, had been functional before the registration.
He said that a group of artisans mobilised others to be able to form the association to assist in building the capacities of others so as to encourage efficiency and discipline among members.
According to him, all the structures in Nigeria are built by artisans, adding that they are critical in national development.
“We have offices across the nation- Taraba, Nasarrawa, Edo, Oyo, Bayelsa, Gombe and Kwara states, among others, as registration is still ongoing.
“Apart from building, we expanded to other skills such as tailoring, carpentry, shoe making,’’ he said.
Mr. Aliyu Lukumbogo, Nasarawa State Coordinator of the association, said that all artisans were brought together under one body to ensure support and enhance unity among artisans.
According to him, whenever they are given a job, they engage the best artisans for a better service delivery.
“We carry out training of artisans as only artisans can train artisans,’’ he said.
Mr. Saliu Osundele, Zonal Coordinator of the union, Oyo State, said that the association was meant for artisans throughout the nation as there was need for them to come under one body for better coordination.
He said that the association which was over 25 years old, had enabled artisans to perform better in conducting their activities.
Osundele said that the association had received support from the Oyo State Government to ensure good working relationship between members and clients.
He, therefore, called for the support of the Federal Government to enable the association to empower others.
“The Government should engage us in the construction and building work instead of bringing in people from other countries.
“Artisans use their hands to work at sites and they deliver well.
“We also need support to train under graduates from technical schools and other students,’’ he said.
