FG to build manufacturing hubs in six geo-political zones

The Federal Government is to establish manufacturing hubs in the country’s six geopolitical zones to produce essential construction materials, reduce demand for forex, create jobs and boost economic growth.

Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, made the disclosure when he received the Executive Chairman of Zheng Xiaopeng and Vice Chairman, Yiwu China-Africa Business Council, Mike Yousuf Ugwu in Abuja.

He said they intend to build a hub, with industries or factories, that produces building materials across the regions namely, Sagamu in South West, Aba in South East, Warri or Asaba in South-South, Ajaokuta in North Central, Kano in North West and Gombe in North East.

To actualise the goal, Dangiwa, said the current administration is open to partnering with investors to fund and manage the projects, recoup their investments and return the hubs to the government upon total recovery of their investments.

On the security of the locations, the minister assured peace, adding that the ministry intends to have them built in locations where building materials markets already exist.

Explaining the concept, Dangiwa said building materials would be manufactured locally while the hubs would have facilities like power, water and even housing for workers where they would be comfortable and not go out until work is completed.

Accordingly, building materials like roofing sheets, ceilings, tiles, and doors among others are the items these hubs would be manufacturing across the federation.

Moreover, the minister informed that the ministry was not going to present any form of design to any investor, urging them to come up with their designs to suit the ministry’s concept.

He also revealed that hundreds of hectares of land would be provided for interested investors, saying that the hubs could come in small, medium, or large forms.

Dangiwa encouraged prospective investors to present their proposals. Acknowledging the Chinese model of building material manufacturing hubs, where items were produced and thereafter purchased and imported to Nigeria.

He stated that the government wants it replicated in the country to reduce the cost of importation, create jobs and enhance economic growth and development.

He also informed of government’s intention to make the hubs free zone areas.

Speaking, Ugwu, on behalf of the business council sought collaboration in the area of housing construction and applauded the idea of having the manufacturing hubs, which he described, as a good vision to move the housing sector forward.

He requested that the hubs be free zone areas so machines and equipment shipped in would enjoy free import duties, alongside the items manufactured in the factories, noting that the gesture would make it attractive for his commission and partners to invest in the proposed project.