Yobe revives 4 moribund industries as Borno, Adamawa woo investors

Yobe revives 4 moribund industries as Borno, Adamawa woo investors

The Yobe government says it has resuscitated four moribund industries to create jobs and boost trade and commerce.

Dr Mohamed Goje, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Damaturu.

Goje listed Sahel Aluminium and Roofing Sheet Factory, Potiskum, Woven Sack Industry, Damaturu, Yobe Flour and Feed Mills, Potiskum and the Fertilizer Blending Company, Gujba, nearing completion, among the companies in the state.

He said the state government had also established four sesame processing factories in Machina, Nguru, Potiskum and Damaturu.

The SSG said the state had recently handed over three of its assets to the Nigeria Food Corporation under the Public Private Partnership (PPA) to drive agro-industrial transformation and unlock the state’s economic potential for agriculture value chains.

The assets transferred, according to him, includes the Yobe Flour and Feeds Mills Company Ltd and Wheat Flour Global Mills Company Ltd, Yobe State Fertilizer Blending Company, Gujba Ltd, and Damaturu Modern Abattoir.

“Two additional assets — Nguru Oil Mills and a property designated for the headquarters of the Nigeria Food Corporation — were listed for subsequent consideration, pending the reconciliation of shareholders’ interests and other relevant issues,” he said.

In Adamawa, the state Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry has called on foreign and local firms to invest in the state’s moribund industries.

Mr Nicholas Istifanus, its Director of Industries,

listed Gomhong Chalk Factory, Office Stationery Factory and Burnt Bricks Factory, located in Gombi, Yola South and Mubi, among the industries.

He said the industries were no longer operational due to vandalism, competition from imported products and high production costs.

Istifanus said that plans had reached an advanced stage to establish a textile industry in Girei Local Government Area through Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

He said the project would stimulate cotton value chain and create between 2,000 and 3,000 employment opportunities.

Mr Billy Graham, a Political Analyst with the Adamawa State Polytechnic, noted that industries were direct and indirect job creators, with a trickle-down effect in transportation, packaging, among others.

He urged the state and the Federal Governments to provide an enabling environment for industries to thrive through provision of reliable electricity, good roads, security and access to finance.

The expert said government should also develop policies that would protect local industries from unfair competition, while ensuring that locally produced goods met acceptable standards.

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The Borno Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Tourism, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan, said the state was open to investments in its ailing Tomato Taste Factory, NIETAL Shoes and Tannery, Borno Plastic Company, Solar Panel Factory and Waste Bin Factory.

He said the state had adopted PPA arrangement in which private investors would provide capital, modern technology and management expertise, while the government focused on regulation and provision of enabling the environment.

Hassan said the initiative was aimed at restoring the operational capacity of the industries while reducing the government’s financial burden and encouraging greater private-sector participation.

“Our doors are open to any investor who wants to come and invest in Borno.

“We want to create an economically viable environment where industries can thrive, create employment and contribute to the development of the state,” he said.

A businessman in Borno, Mr Ali Musa, said that the return of peace provided an opportunity for the government and the stakeholders to accelerate industrial development.

Musa said revitalising the industries would create employment for youths, boost Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and reduce dependence on government jobs.

He commended the PPP initiative but urged transparency and accountability in its implementation to protect public assets and ensure value for money.