Housing ministry plans to create digital platform for artisans

ngiwa made this disclosure when he received the 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.

The minister stated 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 said.

Dangiwa lauded 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.

He reiterated that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development was driving the president’s vision for addressing the housing deficit in Nigeria through renewed housing programmes which aim to build seven cities, one in each geopolitical zone of the country and FCT, and 30 renewed hope estates across the country.

He disclosed 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.

He explained that the construction sites were a source of employment for various skilled and unskilled labourers, adding that the quality of work done by these artisans were crucial to delivering decent and quality housing to Nigerians.

Dangiwa revealed that the ministry has conceived the National Artisan Skill Acquisition Programme (NASA) to address the shortage of skilled artisans in the construction industry and provide sustainable livelihoods for young Nigerians.

The minister said the NASA programme to be launched within the year aims to equip youths with construction-related skills such as plumbing, electrical works, masonry, carpentry, among others, adding that these skills are not only essential for construction sector, but also contribute to the economic, overall economic development of our nation.”

The minister also explained that the programme would work with relevant government agencies, institutions, and the private sector to train and certify artisans.

The minister allso disclosed that the ministry was in the process of completing and habituating its vocational training centres in various locations, including Abuja, Lagos and Imo states.

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 programme.

Ayinde, acknowledged the minister’s leadership and the sustainable housing solutions, while highlighting the key challenges which include a shortage of skilled artisans.

To address this, he said, 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 programme for Nigerian artisans.

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

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