The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry has called on the government to prioritize the revamp of the Idu Industrial Hub in Abuja while advocating for youth training as a critical component for industrial sector growth.
Speaking at the 2024 end-of-year media parley in Abuja on Tuesday, President of the ACCI, Emeka Obegolu emphasised the need for strategic reforms to unlock the full potential of the industrial sector in the Federal Capital Territory.
“The industrial sector of the FCT with a focus on the Idu Yard Industrial Hub, situated in the heart of the Federal Capital Territory, serves as a case study of the opportunities and obstacles in our industrial sector,” Chief Obegolu remarked.
“Once envisioned as a beacon of economic growth and job creation, the hub’s potential remains largely untapped due to neglect and systemic challenges,” he added.
Obegolu highlighted several challenges facing the Idu Industrial Hub, including poor infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply, and inadequate security.
He called for immediate intervention by government agencies to rehabilitate roads, ensure a stable power supply, enhance security, and streamline taxation for businesses.
Obegolu also stressed the importance of youth engagement in driving the growth of the industrial sector.
“Initiatives to attract and train young people in industrial skills will create a workforce that can sustain and grow these sectors,” he said.
He urged the government and private stakeholders to prioritize skill acquisition programs tailored to industrial needs.
He described the passage of the Federal Capital Territory Administration 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N288bn by the Senate as a unique opportunity to address these challenges.
Obegolu called on the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the FCTA, and the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria to integrate industrial development into their 2025 budgets.
While commending the government for recent interventions such as the installation of streetlights and the completion of a functional train station at the Idu hub, Obegolu emphasised that much more remains to be done.
“The state of the roads leading to and within the industrial layout is deplorable, making transportation costly and inefficient,” he noted.
He also acknowledged the critical role of the media in advocating for industrial development.
“We also recognize the power of the media as a catalyst for change. By continuing to spotlight critical issues like these, you help hold stakeholders accountable and foster a sense of urgency among policymakers,” Obegolu stated.
As ACCI prepares for 2025, Obegolu reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to advocating for policies that enhance the ease of doing business.
“Together with the media, government, and private sector stakeholders, we can transform the industrial sector and other neglected zones into vibrant economic activity centres,” he said.
