FG inaugurates Leather Sector Revolution Committee

[The InfoStrides]

The Nigerian Government has on Tuesday, October 22, 2013 inaugurated the Leather Sector Revolution Committee to develop a comprehensive strategy for sustainable growth and development of the leather industry across the country.

The Committee is headed by the Secretary of the Tanners Council, Salisu Umar, while the Chairman, Leather and Allied Products Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (LAPAN), Bashir Danyaro is to serve as Vice Chairman.

Other members of the committee include - representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Agriculture, the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency; Kano State Ministry of Commerce; the Aba Shoe Cluster and the United Kingdom Department For International Development, among others.

 While inaugurating the 17-member committee in Abuja, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga said that the terms of reference of the committee include providing guidance on government policy within the leather industry and serving as the primary advisory group on matters relating to the leather sector.

The Minister said the initiative was in line with the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan which is based on areas where the country has comparative and competitive advantage.

According to him, the idea behind the Nigeria Industrial Revolution Plan is that if the country has to diversify its economy and revenue as a nation, it should do so through industrialisation. "But for us to achieve the desired impact, we must work together with the private sector and all the stakeholders to create the enabling environment for businesses to thrive," he noted.

"Already, we have identified some of the areas where we have comparative and competitive advantage in which we can be first in Africa and top 10 globally in terms manufacturing of value-added products. So, developing the leather industry is part of our Industrial Revolution Plan due to the huge opportunities in that sector in terms job creation, revenue and wealth creation for our people."

Olusegun Agagnga revealed that his ministry is partnering with the Power Ministry to provide adequate power supply to the leather industrial zones. He opined that in addition to ensuring the creation of leather clusters and industrial zones in some states such as Kano, the Ministry is working intimately with the Ministry of Power to supply adequate power to the industrial zones.

He further said: 'the Minister of Power has assured that once the areas for high industrial concentration are identified, he will expedite action on power supply to enable the industries increase their productivity and also reduce their cost of production.'

Speaking on behalf of the committee members, the Chairman of the Leather and Allied Products Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (LAPAN), Bashir Danyaro iterated that the inauguration of the committee would not have come at a better time; adding that the committee would work with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies of Government and the private sector to make the Nigerian leather industry one of the best in the world.

Bashir Danyaro mentioned that all the stakeholders in the leather industry have come together to speak with one voice and to work in unison with the Government to develop the industry.  He expressed optimism that Nigeria has the requirements as a country to become one of the best in the world if citizens work together.

 

Source: FG inaugurates Leather Sector Revolution Committee