FG urges Kano govt to revamp industrial estates

Budget and National Planning Minister, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, told the Kano state government on Tuesday that Nigerians would like to see the state return to its former status as a major industrial and commercial hub in the country.

The minister who was speaking at the Second Kano Economic and Investment Summit, in Kano City, noted that under Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, the state has continued to pursue economic policies and programmes aimed at improving the lives of the people, with particular emphasis on education and infrastructural development across the state.

He however, emphasized Federal Government’s desire to see a quick restoration of the boom days that characterised Sharada, Bompai and other industrial estates in Kano. “There is no doubt that Kano leather craftsmen are some of the best in the world. We must provide the enabling environment for the leather industry to grow and become a mark of quality recognised worldwide”, he added.

In furtherance of the desire, the Minister said funds have been provided in the 2017 Federal Budget to provide infrastructure for the revival of the Free Trade Zone in Kano to stimulate industrial activity. He added that funding has equally been provided for the revival of the Export Expansion Grant by way of tax relief, as a further incentive to exporters.

Senator Udoma said economic growth in Kano means economic growth in Nigeria, because the Nigerian economic performance is simply the sum total of the economic performance of all the States; and as the Minister of Budget and National Planning, he feels happy when States organise Economic and Investment Summits to bring together relevant stakeholders to deliberate on measures required to stimulate investments.

Acknowledging Kano as a bellwether state in Nigeria, because of its leading industrial and commercial status, the minister said the effect of what happens in Kano goes beyond the borders of the state and affects how Nigeria is perceived locally and internationally, saying that “this may explain why the World Bank has selected Kano as one of the two states in Nigeria, whose performance indices are used in assessing Nigeria in their annual Ease of Doing Business rankings.” Lagos, the commercial capital of the country, is the other state.

Describing the theme of the Summit, “Transforming the Economy of Kano: Turning Challenges into Opportunities”, as very apt, the Minister said it aligns with Federal Government’s effort in trying to turn the great difficulties and challenges it met on assumption of office into an opportunity for growth.

“On our part, as the Federal Government, we have been working very closely with the State Governments, particularly through the monthly meetings of the National Economic Council (NEC), to ensure complete alignment in our economic programmes. And of course, as you all know the ERGP was developed with the extensive consultations of the States. This is one Federal Government that believes that we must work very closely with the states,” he pointed out.