The Nigerian Government has finalised plans to create three new automobile clusters and training centres in Lagos, Anambra and Kano states as part of the National Industrial Revolution Plan and Industrial Skills Development Programme.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga who disclosed this during the ongoing Industrial Training Fund's 19th Biennial Training Conference on Skills Acquisition and Job Creation, re-affirmed the commitment of President Goodluck Jonathan's administration to tackling unemployment through the implementation of integrated, industrial skills and manpower development programmes.
Aganga said that the Federal Government has no plan to create a new agency for industrialisation as reported in some sections of the media; adding that Government is considering the transformation of an existing agency under the supervision of the ministry. The related mandate, he said is 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.
The Minister said, "As part of our National Industrial Skills Development Programme and the Nigerian 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 expressed."
He disclosed that the Federal Government is already working on how to reduce the cost of governance by sinking the number of government agencies. Adding, what we proposed at a stakeholders' meeting on the NIRP held two months ago was to transform an existing agency within the ministry, in order to drive the implementation of our industrial revolution plan.
According to Aganga, as distinguished ambassadors of Nigeria, it is important to put statements in the right context so as not to misinform the public. He further noted that MITI is working with the ITF and the private sector to bridge skills and manpower gaps across critical sectors of the nation's economy through the provision of specialised training for Nigerians. Also, the initiative would help reduce youth unemployment across the country.
Speaking during the event, the Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke explained that the introduction and implementation of the National Industrial Skills Development Programme by the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment has 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, we want to commend the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment for introducing the National Industrial Skills Development Programme which has helped to re-invigorate the spirit of entrepreneurship in our state," he said.
The President of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Kola Jamodu in his remarks said, "We cannot achieve any meaningful economic growth and development in this country without a vibrant manufacturing sector."
Kola Jamodu stated that the manufacturing sector is delighted and fortunate to have 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, he said."
Federal Republic Of Nigeria | nigeria.gov.ng