Gombe Industrial Park to create over 100,000 jobs

The Gombe State government has earmarked 1000 hectares of land in Dadin-Kowa village, 37km from Gombe town, along Biu Road, for the establishment of an industrial park. The government said the initiative was in a resolve to provide solution to youth unemployment by creating job opportunities for the teeming youth in addition to boosting the […]

The Gombe State government has earmarked 1000 hectares of land in Dadin-Kowa village, 37km from Gombe town, along Biu Road, for the establishment of an industrial park.

The government said the initiative was in a resolve to provide solution to youth unemployment by creating job opportunities for the teeming youth in addition to boosting the state’s economy.

The state government is leveraging on the 40 megawatts Dadin-Kowa Hydro-Power Plant which is ready for inauguration after 60 years of execution setbacks.

The proposed site of the industrial park is located within the vicinity of the hydropower plant near the Dadin-Kowa Dam located 5km north of Dadin-Kowa village, where the government is expecting investors to set up mega factories and medium scale industries that will generate over 10,000 direct and 100,000 indirect jobs when completed.

Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya had, during a visit to the proposed site of the industrial park, said the initiative was meant to provide an enabling environment for investors to set up businesses.

He hinted on the economic gains of the industrial park to the state when it finally takes off, saying that it would tap into the soon-to-be inaugurated hydro electric power plant.

The governor said by the time the Dadin-Kowa hydro power plant is put to use, the industrial park will be a hub for trade and investment in the state and the northeast sub-region at large.

His administration, he said, has mapped out plans and other economic strategies that will enhance economic growth in the immediate host community, the state and nation.

It was also gathered that the economic development initiative will pave the way for both local and large-scale farmers to sell their farm produce to interested investors in their farmlands without having to transport them elsewhere.

Governor Yahaya added that job creation for the state’s teeming youths is another beneficial aspect of the initiative as well as revenue generation.

The state government had guaranteed the host community that it would compensate all affected persons whose farmlands and other property might be tampered with in the cause of developing the proposed site.

Daily Trust learnt that the management of the Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA), an agency that supervised the Dadin-Kowa dam, has also assured of its commitment in providing the desired support to the state for mutual benefit.

The Managing Director of the UBRBDA, Engineer Abubakar Mu’azu, said the agency is readily available to provide technical support in the areas of irrigation and other farming techniques.

According to reports, some investors have already started indicating interest and reaching out to the state government with a view to investing when the park comes on stream.

Our correspondent reports that at least 10 mega factories and several medium and small-scale industries ranging from Agro allied industries, manufacturing, textile, rice mills, tomato plants, among others, are expected to be established  at the industrial park.

According to the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Publicity, Ismaila Uba Misilli, the state government was already in talks with the African Development Bank (AfDB), United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and other multinational corporations.

He said the government is investing in infrastructure at the proposed site and has already earmarked about N2bn to provide road network, water, other infrastructures and security to ensure the smooth take-off of the project.

Daily Trust learnt that President Muhammadu Buhari is expected to perform the foundation laying ceremony when he comes to commission the hydro power plant, after which the work is expected to commence.