The Federal Government is seeking collaboration with investors for funding the construction of building materials manufacturing hubs in six geo-political zones of the country.
The Minister of Housing, Arc. Ahmed Dangiwa, made the disclosure when he received the Executive Chairman, Zheng Xiaopeng and Vice Chairman, Yiwu China- Africa Business Council, High Chief Mike Yousuf Ugwu, on a courtesy visit in Abuja.
He explained that the building materials manufacturing hubs would be situated in six geo-political locations of the country; Sagamu in South West, Aba in South East, Warri or Asaba in South-South, Ajaokuta in North Central, Kano in North West and Gombe in North East.
“So, that is our invitation. We want to collaborate with any investor willing to bring funding to build the hub, even if it is two or three hubs, manage it, recoup the investment then give us after recouping the investment,” he said.
On the security of the locations, the minister assured that the locations are secure, adding that the intention of the ministry is to have them built in locations where building materials markets already exist.
Explaining the concept of a building material manufacturing hub, the minister said that the manufacturing hubs will be where building materials are manufactured and they will have facilities like power, water and even housing for workers where they would be comfortable till work is completed.
Accordingly, building materials like roofing sheets, ceilings, tiles, doors amongst others, are the items these hubs will be manufacturing in their respective locations across the country.
In addition, the minister informed that the ministry was not going to present any form of design to any investor, urging them to bring up their own designs to suit the ministry’s concept.
“We cannot give you design since you have taken our concept,” he noted.
He also revealed that a minimum of a hundred hectares of land will be provided for the interested investors, saying that the manufacturing hubs could come in small, medium or large hubs and that they will be bringing in their manufacturing machines and equipment.
Dangiwa further encouraged interested investors to present the proposed design of any size of the building materials manufacturing hub of interest, be it small, medium or large to the ministry.
Similay, he also explained the Chinese concept of the building material manufacturing hubs where the items were produced and thereafter purchased and imported to Nigeria, saying that the federal government wants same replicated in Nigeria in order to reduce cost of importation, create jobs for the teeming Nigerians as well as enhance economic growth and development of the country.
The minister also informed of the intention of the government to make all the building materials manufacturing hubs designated free zones areas.
High Chief Mike Yousouf Ugwu, told the minister that he was in the ministry on behalf of Yiwu China – African Business Council, to seek collaboration in the area of housing construction.
He mentioned that the commission had constructed housing for permanent staff for the government of Kenya, saying that funding would not be an impediment to handling any construction job awarded to it.
The high chief applauded the minister for the idea of having building materials manufacturing hubs in Nigeria, which he described as a good vision to move the housing sector forward
He requested for clarification if the building materials manufacturing hubs will be a free zone areas where machines and equipment to be shipped in for use would enjoy free import duties, aside the the items manufactured in the factories, saying that the gesture would make it attractive for his commission and partners to invest in the building material manufacturing hubs being proposed by the ministry.
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