FG plans building materials manufacturing hubs

The Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development has announced plans to construct building materials manufacturing hubs in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.

Housing Minister, Ahmed Dangiwa, made the disclosure on Saturday during a courtesy visit from the Executive Chairman of Zheng Xiaopeng and Vice Chairman of Yiwu China-Africa Business Council, High Chief Mike Ugwu.

“We want to build a hub whereby we have industries or factories that are producing building materials,” Dangiwa explained.

The hubs will be located in Sagamu, Aba, Warri or Asaba, Ajaokuta, Kano and Gombe.

The minister sought collaboration with investors, saying, “We want to collaborate with any investor willing to bring funding to build the hub, manage it, recoup the investment, and then give us after recouping the investment.”

On security, Dangiwa assured that the locations are secured, and the intention is to have them built in locations where building materials markets already exist.

The hubs will manufacture building materials like roofing sheets, ceilings, tiles, and doors, and will have facilities like power, water and housing for workers.

The minister encouraged investors to present their designs, saying, “We cannot give you design since you have taken our concept.”

A minimum of 100 hectares of land will be provided for interested investors, and the hubs can be small, medium, or large.

Dangiwa also revealed that the government intends to make the hubs designated free zone areas to reduce importation costs, create jobs, and enhance economic growth.