Artisans charged to embrace modern technology

Artisans across the country have been tasked to embrace the use of modern technology to enhance their services.The Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, made the charge at the unveiling of an online portal for artisans.She said the world is a dynamic global village that is driven essentially by information and communication technology-based innovative solutions.

The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (SMEDAN) anchored the unveiling, in conjunction with an indigenous marketing firm, Global Sight Services Limited.The online portal, www.Naijaquickfix.com’, is a communication system poised at upgrading the business activities of MSMEs.

It is structured to instantly connect artisans and those in serious need of their services.The commissioner said the innovative solution is coming at a time that government at all levels are committed to expanding the capacity of small business sectors as a vehicle for promoting the made-in-Nigeria campaign.

Oladunjoye, who was represented by the Deputy Director in the Ministry, Mrs. Helen Adesina, said the informal business sector has been finding it difficult to take advantage of the gains of globalisation.

This, she said was due to the sector’s limited access to funds, markets and technology.She stated that the online marketing platform would serve as a one-stop-shop for the burgeoning informal sector as envisioned in the Federal Government’s Economy Recovery Growth Plan (ERGP).

According to her, the state government would spare no costs in engendering the sector’s market visibility through online and traditional business promotion channels. Director-General, SMEDAN, Dr. Umaru Dikko, declared that the portal would connect artisans to more clients, create jobs, improve proficiency through capacity building, and assist in eradicating quackery among artisans.

Dikko, who was represented by its Lagos State Coordinator, Yinka Fisher, noted that Lagos artisans were used for the pilot scheme of the project that would have millions of artisans registered on the platform in the next two years.He said professionals in skills like mechanics; welders, barbers and others were eligible to register on the platform that would cut across all states of the federation.

Also speaking, the Managing Director, Global Sight Services Limited, Dayo Bello, said the platform would advance the impact of artisans on the nation’s socio-economic development.He added that the portal would reduce crime rate by ensuring that only accredited artisans’ serviced clients, thereby reducing rate of robbery attacks on clients at home and on the road.

Also, Chairman, Lagos State Council of Tradesmen and Artisans (LASCOTA), Nurudeen Buhari, said the platform would enhance service delivery and reduce the concern of foreigners hindering local artisans from servicing clients.