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FG plans automobile clusters in Lagos, Nnewi, Kano

By on September 21, 2013

The Federal Government said it has finalised plans to create three new automobile clusters and training centres in Lagos, Anambra (Nnewi ) and Kano states as part of the National Industrial Revolution Plan and Industrial Skills Development Programme.

Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, disclosed at 19th Biennial Training Conference on Skills Acquisition and Job Creation of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).

Aganga re-affirmed the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration towards tackling unemployment through the implementation of an integrated, industrial skills and manpower development programme.

He, however, said that the Federal Government had no plan to create a new agency for industrialisation as being reported in some sections of the media but was considering transforming an existing agency under the supervision of the ministry (with a related mandate) to drive the implementation of its industrialisation policies, in line with an agreement reached at a stakeholders’ meeting on the NIRP about two months ago.

“As part of our National Industrial Skills Development Programme and the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan, the Industrial Training Fund is collaborating with Brazil to develop three automobile training centres and clusters across the country that will meet international standards.  They are: Lagos (Ibadan Zone), Nnewi (Aba Zone) and Kano, Kaduna zone automobile clusters. The automobile training centres will train Nigerians in auto maintenance and spare parts production.

“For us to successfully diversify our economy, create jobs and generate wealth for our country, industrialization remains our only hope for the future. In order to achieve this, we need to build strong institutions to drive our industrialization process just as it was done in other industrialized countries,” he said, adding that the Federal Government is already working on how to reduce the cost of governance by reducing the number of government agencies.

“So what we proposed at a stakeholders’ meeting on the NIRP, held two months ago was to transform an existing agency within the ministry to drive the implementation of our industrial revolution plan.

“It is important that we put statements in the right context so as not to misinform the public as distinguished ‘ambassadors’ of Nigeria,” he said.

The Minister said his ministry was working with the ITF and the private sector to bridge the skills and manpower gaps across critical sectors of the nation’s economy by providing specialized training for Nigerians, adding that the initiative would help reduce youth unemployment across the country.

 

Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, said the introduction and implementation of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment had helped to re-invigorate the spirit of entrepreneurship in the state.

“It is a sad reality that most of our youths are currently dislocated economically by unemployment. However,” he said, commending Aganga for introducing the National Industrial Skills Development Programme, which has helped to re-invigorate the spirit of entrepreneurship in our state.

President, Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Chief Kola Jamodu, said: “We cannot achieve any meaningful economic growth and development in this country without a vibrant manufacturing sector. However, we, in the manufacturing sector are very delighted to and fortunate to have Mr. Olusegun Aganga, as the minister in charge of industry. We call him the friend of manufacturers because of his genuine passion, commitment and policies aimed at addressing the major challenges facing the sector.”

 

 

[Daily Independent]