HOUSING MINISTRY TO CREATE DIGITAL PLATFORM FOR ARTISANS 

* Technology will serve as online market place to make trained artisans accessible and efficient - Dangiwa 

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arc. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa has disclosed the plan of the Ministry to create an online application for skilled workers, aimed at leveraging technology to make artisans more visible, accessible and efficient in delivering their services.

The Minister made this disclosure when he received rlthe Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Hon. Adamson Ayinde and his team on a courtesy visit at the Ministry’s headquarters, Abuja.

He explained that the digital platform to be named ‘Uber for Artisans’ will serve as an online market place where trained and certified artisans can connect with potential customers, adding the platform would enhance the earning potential of artisans and ensure that customers have access to skilled professionals for their construction needs.

“I believe that the Uber for Excel platform will be a game changer in the construction industry, as it will not only bridge a gap between supply and demand, but also promoting transparency and quality service delivery”, he hoped.

He commended the passion and proactive initiatives of the office of the SSA, which aligns with the Federal government’s agenda, particularly in vocational training, skills acquisition and youth empowerment.

Dangiwa restated that the Ministry of Housing, Urban Development, was driving the President's vision for addressing the housing deficit in Nigeria through renewed housing programs which aims to build seven cities, one in each geo political zone of the country and FCT, and 30 renewed hope estates across the country.

He informed that construction work was ongoing at 14 sites for 10,112 housing units, with significant portions expected to be commissioned within the next couple of months, providing jobs for over 252,000 Nigerians.

Stating further that construction sites were a source of employment for various skilled and unskilled laborers, the Minister noted that the quality of work done by these artisans were crucial to delivering decent and quality housing to Nigerians.

To this effect, He revealed that the Ministry has conceived the National Artisan Skill Acquisition Program (NASA) to address the shortage of skilled artisans in the construction industry and provide sustainable livelihoods for young Nigerians.

The Minister said the NASA program to be launched within the year aims to equip youths with construction-related skills such as plumbing, electrical works, masonry, carpentry, among others.

“These skills are not only essential for construction sector, but also contribute to the economic, overall economic development of our nation”, he added.

The Minister also explained that the program will work with relevant government agencies, institutions, and the private sector to train and certify artisans. Accordingly, Arc. Dangiwa informed that the  ministry was in the process of completing and habitating its vocational training centers in various locations, including Abuja, Lagos and Imo states.

Expressing happiness that the SSA and his team has visited some of the centers, the Minister said that the ministry intends to rehabilitate some of the institutions within the next couple of months, pointing out that the centers will serve as hubs for hands-on training and capacity building for artisans.

To achieve this, he said that a committee would be set up in the Ministry within a period of three months, with the format for the training, as well as engagement with relevant associations, including the relevant associations in the building industry.

Arc. Dangiwa further assured the team of the Ministry's full support and cooperation in achieving the shared goals of both parties.

Speaking earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industrial Training and Development, Hon. Adamson Ayinde, commended the Minister for his efforts in advancing the Renewed Hope Housing Development program. 

While acknowledging the Minister’s leadership and the sustainable housing solutions, he highlighted key challenges which includes a shortage of skilled artisans.

To address this, He informed that his office was collaborating with the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), and the department of Federal Public Assets Maintenance (FPAM) to propose a six-month training and certification program for Nigerian artisans. 

He noted that the initiative aims to strengthen the local workforce, enhance construction quality, and ensure Nigerian artisans can compete internationally. 

Hon. Ayinde further told the Minister that a formal proposal outlining the implementation framework, training curriculum, and expected outcomes would be submitted.

Also earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry Dr. Shuaib Belgore, reiterated the ministry's unwavering commitment to providing affordable housing for Nigerians, in line with the vision of President Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

While emphasizing that the ministry's primary mandate was to ensure the availability of affordable housing for all citizens, he assured the delegates that the ministry was actively engaging in numerous housing development projects across the country in order to achieve President Bola Anmed Tinubu's goal.

"We are actively carrying out multiple housing development projects nationwide, and our efforts are yielding positive results," he stated.