FG distributes 48m industrial salt to leather dealers in Kano

Transformation Agenda (ATA) has kicked off the distribution of 17,500 bags of industrial salt worth N48 million to over 1,000 hides and skin dealers in Kano State.Speaking while flagging off the distribution, the coordinating director of livestock in the ministry, Dr, Julius Nyagero, said the salt is the output that the ministry will hand out […]

Transformation Agenda (ATA) has kicked off the distribution of 17,500 bags of industrial salt worth N48 million to over 1,000 hides and skin dealers in Kano State.
Speaking while flagging off the distribution, the coordinating director of livestock in the ministry, Dr, Julius Nyagero, said the salt is the output that the ministry will hand out as incentives to skin buyers to ensure high quality raw materials for the leather industry.
“The Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme for the leather value this year is targeted to about 2, 000 skin buyers in six states of Bauchi, Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto and Zamfara as part of government’s effort to grow agriculture, ensure food security, diversify the economy and generate foreign exchange,” he said.
The coordinator who was represented by the Value Chain Desk Officer in the ministry, Dr. Ademola Majeson said over 50 per cent of the beneficiaries will be from Kano State as a result of the state’s special position in the skin collection industry.
“The leather value chain is highly diversified and its contribution to economic and industrial development is huge as it is used virtually in our everyday lives as shoes, belts, wallets and handbags. Therefore the industry must be supported as it provides jobs and sustainable livelihood for millions of Nigerians,” Majeson said.
He added: “Agriculture to us in the ministry is no longer being treated as a development programme but as a business considering the high number of employment it is generating.”
Also speaking, team leader of the Leather Value Chain Alhaji Bello Abba Yakasai, assured the skin buyers of Federal Government’s continued support to transform the leather industry and called on them to unite in order to succeed together.
Kano State chairman of hides and skin dealers, Alhaji Abdu Gezawa commended the agric minister for the initiative,  saying this is the first time in 20 years that the federal government is engaging the hides and skin industry.