By Adekunle Williams
Skilled artisans in the building industry say they have sought alternative channels to finance their businesses after being neglected by the Federal Government.
Alhaji Fasasi Jamiu, the National President of the Builders, Construction and Skilled Artisans Association of Nigeria (BACSAAN), who stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said they were professionals government could never do away with.
Jamiu, who spoke on the sidelines of his association’s signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Identinco Investment Identity services limited on Thursday in Lagos, decried the level of their neglect by the federal government.
“In spite of our contribution to the economy of this country, and with our strength numbering over 25 million nationwide, the government seems to have ignored our plea for grants and financial empowerment.
“But to sustain our businesses and livelihoods, BACSAAN is happy to have forged a partnership with Identinco Investment Identity services.
” Many times our members do get government patronage; and even when we manage to get patronized, we are unable to get funding to prosecute the projects.
” This has been frustrating for our members, who have either lost life- time- break through contracts or face intimidation from influential members of society for unfinished job.
“Or they don’t get patronage because of small nature of their trade.
” But we are glad that this partnership will give us visibility and a new business direction in the emerging digital financial ecosystem,” he said.
Earlier, Demola Aladekomo, Chairman of Identico Integrated Services Limited, described BACSAAN as an integral part of the economy that needs support to grow and sustain the Nigerian economy.
“They have enormous potential that needs to be groomed and developed for the good of the Nigerian economy.
“They need to become visible, accessible and connected to key players in the sector.
“We are doing this by creating an identity management platform for the association to help members realise their worth and potential, while also assisting them with grants to stay afloat and become major players in the building sector through trusted service device connectivity,” he said.
NAN reports that Identico Integrated Services Limited is a Nigerian technology company focused on identity management, access control, smart card systems and digital verification solutions. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa
