Association calls for unity among artisans in construction industry
NAN-HE-14
Association
By Lilian.Chukwu
Lagos, Jan. 23, 2018 (NAN) Alhaji Muhammad Fasasi, the National President, Building and Construction Skilled Artisans Association of Nigeria (BACSAAN), on Tuesday called for unity among artisans in the building construction industry.
Fasasi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos at the inauguration of the association’s Lagos Chapter, that unity among the artisans was necessary to uphold the integrity of the profession and enhance their bargaining power.
According to him, the absence of unity in the rank of artisans has made it difficult for them to achieve some of their objectives and have their requests attended to by the government.
Fasasi said the artisans had not been able to dominate the construction industry because they were not united, adding that they were gradually losing the industry to foreign artisans.
“Divided we fall, united we stand. If we unite ourselves under one association, our voice will be heard and our demands granted.
“BACSAAN is an umbrella body of all artisans in the building construction industry nationwide, irrespective of one’s area of specialisation and with branches in all states of the federation.
“Whether carpenter, painter, brick-layer, block molder or iron-bender among others, we are united under the association,” he said.
He said the association was making efforts to dialogue and partner with the government such that the foreign artisans could be prohibited from doing the local artisans’ jobs.
“ We have met with the responsible government authorities and tendered our requests. This makes it paramount for the artisans to come together and be unified under the umbrella of BACSAAN to enable them to collectively fight for their rights,” he added.
Fasasi urged the public to ensure they engaged the services of certified artisans for effective service delivery, saying that lots of quack artisans existed in the industry. (NAN)
LUC/SA/IA
Edited by Salif Atojoko/Idris Abdulrahman