Katsina partners foreign firms to resuscitate 3 moribund industries

Katsina partners foreign firms to resuscitate 3 moribund industries
NAN-HE-5
Industries
By Zubairu Idris
Katsina, Nov. 4, 2016 (NAN) The Katsina State Government says it will partner with foreign firms to resuscitate three moribund industries to enhance economic activities and create job opportunities in the state.
Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf, the state Commissioner for Commerce, Industries and Tourism, disclosed this on Friday at Kankia Metal Works Ltd in Kankia Local Government area.
Yusuf said that companies were Danja Sugar Company, Daura Tannery and Kankara Kaolin Project.
He said that the companies were established by the defunct Kaduna State Government over 30 years ago.
Yusuf said that the companies suffered neglect from the previous administrations and were unable to serve the purpose they were established.
According to him, the current administration has decided to resuscitate the companies under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement.
Yusuf said the decision was in line with the administration’s determination to industrialise the state and diversify its economic base.
‘’Industrialisation is a quick way of generating employment, wealth creation, improve social security as well as revenue generation for the state,’’ he said.
The commissioner said that Katsina had comparative advantage in rice, wheat and sugarcane production as well as tannery.
Other areas are livestock and economic trees like Gum Arabic, Shea Nut and Moringa as well as tomato production and processing.
He said that the government would provide enabling environment for the investors in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kankia Metal Works was also established by the defunct Kaduna State Government in 1982 and was abandoned until when the current administration entered into partnership with AMPRI Global Ltd., an Indian firm which restored its operations. (NAN)
ZI/TA
Edited by Tajudeen Atitebi