By Monsur Olowoopejo

THE Lagos State Government has concluded plans to establish an insurance welfare scheme for over 7, 000 artisans in the state. It also said that the ongoing construction of the three Enterprise zones tagged E-zones would be completed very soon to accommodate the artisans.

Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Commerce and Industry, Mr. Oluseye Oladejo, disclosed this at a press briefing on the upcoming Grand Finale of the 4th Tradesmen and Artisans week, with the theme, ‘Sustaining the Growth of the Informal Sector: The Lagos Model.’

Oladejo added that in a few weeks, government would commence sensitisation workshop to further enlighten the artisans on the importance of the scheme. He explained that the insurance scheme covers loss of property, life assurance, health, pension and others. “We know that their earning isn’t huge, that is why the state government is providing this medium. And the scheme will help the artisan who may be incapacitated due to old age and others to still have fund at his disposal,” he said.

The governor’s aide said that ahead of the scheme, the state government has commenced training programme to build the capacity of the artisans. According to him, “A total of 2, 780 artisans have been trained since the commencement of the programme, while another 1, 000 artisans have been enlisted for another round of training. This training is expected to equip the participants with technical and entrepreneurial skill with a view to enhance their efficiency, productivity and competitiveness with their pairs from other parts of the country.”