SOME artisans just completing training under the Master Craftsman Project of the Lagos State Government have lauded the programme.

The artisans said the training would remove quackery and forestall building collapse in Nigeria.

The artisans spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday at the Ikorodu training centre of Lagos State Technical and Vocational Education Board (LASTVEB).

NAN reports that artisans from various fields were carrying out practical skills under supervision.

There were also various activities as the masons and bricklayers were seen constructing different shapes and sizes of moulds; welders were welding various items and carpenters cutting, mending and fixing furniture.

Tillers were laying pavement stones; electricians were fixing switches and doing some wiring; while other artisans in blue overalls and helmets were undertaking various activities.

Mr Olayiwola Akeem, an experienced carpenter, said that the training was timely to help artisans prevent accidents on site as well as learn new innovations.

“I have been a carpenter for over 35 years and I have trained over 75 apprentices. I have several tools and machines but did not know anything about safety.

“There were several avoidable accidents in our workshop because we just focused on getting the work done and we were ignorant of safety.

“I have severe injury on my 10 fingers because I did not know that I should use a support and not my hand when using this wood-cutting machine,’’ he said.

Mrs Gimba Bodurin, a mason, block maker and concrete mixer said that the training would make her impact felt positively in the building environment.

“I have worked in several projects in my 12 years in this profession but I just learnt some practical terms, new technologies and how to interact better with my clients,’’ she said.

Mrs Bunmi Erinle, another mason, block maker and concrete mixer said that she would use her experience from the programme to stem the tide of building collapses and construction failure in the country.

“It is from this training that I know that any compromise when mixing materials can cause building collapse. I will be more careful now and make sure I do not compromise standards and I will not allow my colleagues to do anything that will compromise standards.

“That way, we will reduce building collapse. This training is really an eye opener. I thank Lagos State Government and I am begging them to continue this programme so that more people will be educated.

“I have improved my knowledge, now my block mouldings will be stronger, my site supervision will be better and no compromise on site,’’ she said.

Mr Salisu Adewale, 2^nd Vice President, Nigerian Association of Engineering Craftsmen while monitoring a class of 35 carpenters who were making school furniture as their project, said that the furniture would be used in public schools.

Adewale, a builder who was the instructor for the mason, carpentry and construction at the programme, said that the training was aimed at making the artisans, professionals in their various fields.

He commended the programme which he noted would bridge the skill gap in the construction industry.

Mr Lasisi Korede, an electrician and other electricians, welders, plumbers who were working on various projects, also commended the state government for the programme.

A senior official of the Lagos State Government, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that 350 artisans were trained to bridge the skill gap making Nigerians patronise foreign artisans.

The official said that the three weeks training was going to be concluded “today’’.

The official said that 200 artisans who were trained in 2018 had been engaged in various projects by the state government’s contractors, saying that the artisans were currently handling several beautification projects under some major bridges in Lagos.

The official said that a data base was being created to link the artisans to clients to restore the confidence of Nigerians in local artisans.

“For this segment, we have trained 350 artisans and last year we trained 200. The trades are masonry, electrical, carpentry, plumbing, welding and painting.

“This time around they are going to have customised identity cards and they will be issued certificates confirming them as masters in their different trades.

“We are going to create a data base that is going to be put online so that Lagosians can reach them any time they need their services,’’ the official said.

The official explained that the Ikorodu, Ikotun and Epe centres were currently being used for training of artisans in different fields.

The official noted that the Master Craftsman Project was aimed at arresting trends of poor workmanship, use of sub-standard building materials, quackery, non-compliance with building regulations, among others.

He said the human factor resulting from dearth of skill had been detrimental to the construction industry, resulting in foreigners taking over the jobs of Nigerian artisans.

NAN reports that the Lagos State Government flagged off the Master Craftsman Project in June 2016. (NAN)

– Feb. 2, 2019 @ 13:57 GMT |