FG to build manufacturing hubs nationwide

• Published On: 04 August 2024 at 19:36

The Federal Government has announced intentions to establish manufacturing hubs in each of the country's six geographical zones in order to produce building materials, reduce import costs, create jobs, and boost economic growth.

According to a statement on the Ministry's website, the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Musa Dangiwa, disclosed this during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja by the Executive Chairman, Zheng Xiaopeng, and Vice Chairman of the Yiwu China-Africa Business Council, High Chief Mike Yousuf Ugwu.

Dangiwa stated that the federal government is eager to work with investors to make this vision a reality. These investors will offer money and project management, try to recover their expenses, and eventually return the hubs to the government.

"We'd like to inform you that we're designing a project called the Building Materials Manufacturing Hub. We intend to create a cluster with industries or facilities that produce building materials.

"So that's our invitation. We want to work with any investor who is ready to provide funds to develop the hub, even if it is two or three hubs, manage it, recuperate the investment, and then give it to us," he said.

The Housing Minister revealed that the proposed manufacturing hubs will be built in the following states: Gombe State (North East), Sagamu, Ogun State (South West), Aba, Abia State (South East), Warri or Asaba, Delta State (South-South), Ajaokuta, Kogi State (North Central), and Kano, Kano State (Northwest).

Dangiwa outlined the concept of building material manufacturing centres, noting that they would produce products such as doors, ceilings, roofing sheets, and tiles. They will have basic amenities such as power, water, and worker housing, ensuring a comfortable environment in which personnel can remain until their jobs are completed.

Interested investors will be provided at least 100 hectares of land and will be responsible for bringing in and managing the necessary machinery and equipment for manufacture. The size of these hubs can be small, medium, or large, depending on the investors' proposals.

The Minister provided assurances on security, stating that the sites picked are safe and well-located in areas where building material markets already exist.

Investors are urged to submit their own designs that are consistent with the ministry's concept, as the ministry will not give specific designs. The Minister cited the Chinese model, in which building materials are created and then imported into Nigeria, with the purpose of reproducing it locally to cut import prices, generate jobs, and stimulate economic growth.