Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has urged artisans in the state to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons or activities in their neigbourhood to the community leaders or the police.
Fashola gave the charge while addressing a large gathering of tradesmen and artisans during the 5th Tradesmen and Artisans week held at the Blue Roof of Lagos Television, Agidingbi in Ikeja.
The governor called on Lagosians to be involved in solving the current challenges of insecurity in the country, while also urging people to be conscious of abandoned bags or objects within their vicinity.
He said, “Our power of observation must increase; any place we go to, we must take note of the people there and pay attention to what is happening around us.”
Fashola also emphasised the need for the artisans to formalise their businesses so as to utilise the N7.2trillion trapped in the extralegal economy.
He said it was important for the artisans to step up their business activities and welcome positive initiatives that will conform with global standards.
He also urged some of the members of the artisans who are currently not captured in the state data base to do so in order to help the government plan for them to improve on their businesses.
Fashola noted, “In real estate, the account of the extra-legal is estimated to be $45billion and this economy has no record of it. That is about N7.2 trillion and that is about 14 times the state budget if we use 2012 budget as the basis. We need to capture these businesses in the real legal form so that our records can reflect it.”
The governor explained that for proper economic planning of the state, those in the extralegal economy must be captured.
“You hear the people say I am unemployed, perhaps it is not the case of total unemployment, though not in all cases, because some truly are unemployed, but some are just underemployed. Some people for example may want to do a business, but they have not set it up, but they are running another business that is not as productive as what they want, yet they count themselves as unemployed, but they are not.
“If we don’t capture that kind of person in our legal economy, such person does not account for one of the people who need electricity. So, when we are planning electricity for hairdressers in our data, we would not see that person. We need to capture the records of the extra-legal economy to be able to know who is doing what so that we can plan for you.” Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Sir,
ReplyDeleteWith due respect, I'm surrprise your government pretends about the Abattouir area in Fagba. The rate of inflow is on the high side, the people from the northern part moves into this area daily enmass. The whole world applauded you for demolishing all unecessary structures at Fagba, but now I am always scared of sleeping who knows what's next. We need you to help save the lives of people reciding in this estates.
Do help sanitise this area as it is a hidden place for any crime.
Regards Sir.