The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has urged the Taraba government to establish an industrial park in order to stimulate the development of the state.
Ahmed Abdullahi, the state Coordinator of RMRDC made the call on Friday in a paper entitled ‘Harnessing the abundant local raw materials for industrial development in Taraba’ at the 2nd pre-graduation seminar organised by Technology Incubation Centre (TIC) in Jalingo.
The coordinator noted that an industrial park, when established, would help tackle the frustration faced by young entrepreneurs, by adequately accommodating their businesses for steady growth for the benefit of the state and the nation.
Abdullahi, who said Taraba has abundant mineral and agro raw materials, called on the state government to provide the enabling environment for young entrepreneurs to exploit the materials for economic growth.
“The absence of an industrial park in Taraba is a serious minus for industrial development of the state despite its huge potential in agro and mineral raw materials,” Abdullahi said.
“A lot of young entrepreneurs face frustrations in the state after graduating from their various vocational training over lack of a ready place to accommodate their businesses and this can be tackled by the establishment of a standard industrial park in the state,” he said.
Abdullahi said RMRDC through its public-private partnership initiatives had greatly promoted local fabrication of machines and equipment for value addition to the country.
The coordinator also highlighted various mineral and agricultural resources available in the state, including barite, bauxite, limestone, mica, gypsum, graphite, gemstones, galena, feldspar, uranium, tea, coffee, cocoa among others.
Earlier in a welcome address, Bulus Ibrahim, the Centre Manager said the centre which was established in 2010 and took off in 2011 with two pioneer entrepreneurs graduated 11 entrepreneurs at the event whom he noted, have already grown from start-up stage to small and medium enterprises.
According to him, the graduating entrepreneurs while under the programme enjoyed a lot of business support services such as sponsorship of training, workshops, and trade fairs, among others.
Ibrahim sought the support of the stakeholders at the event in order to sustain the benefits derived from the incubation programmes.
The centre manager conducted the guests round the various machines, try cycles, motorcycles, bags and shoes among other items made by the entrepreneurs at the centre.
