The Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, has urged Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna state to create industrial parks with necessary infrastructure for small and medium scale industries.
He said this would help to create massive jobs and address insecurity in Kaduna.
According to the monarch, such industrial park with constant electricity, good roads, potable water, warehouses will go a long way in replacing the dead industries in the state.
He also said that such industries will also take away youths from crime and other social vices.
Addressing the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) 2019 interactive forum with stakeholders in the state, the Emir, represented by the District Head of Doka, Alhaji Balarabe Mohammed Tijani, lamented many industrial areas were turned into residential areas in the state.
“Areas reserved for industries are dying and owners are selling the land off, some are converted to residential areas. The industries are dying off, no new ones are coming up.
“I want the Kaduna state government to look at the possibility of building industrial parks for small and medium scale businesses that people can come and rent and use for business,” he said.
The state Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology, Mr Idris Nyam, said the state government has initiated series of programmes to address challenges of socio-economic growth and development of the state.
He added that Kaduna state has gained national and international recognition with international organisations like World Bank and other development partners.
The Director General/ Chief Executive, ITF, Sir Joseph Ari said the interactive forum was introduced by the fund to create an avenue for the area offices and its stakeholders to exchange ideas, views, and information that will clarify grey areas.