Govt partners private firm to establish textile factory

Few months after it commissioned a new fertiliser company, Sokoto state government said it is partnering with a private firm to establish a textile factory in the state.

The company, to be situated at Kalambaina in Wamakko LGA of the state, will have the capacity to produce 20,000 metric tonnes of finished products and will provide employment opportunity to approximately 2,000 people.

Speaking to reporters on the project, the Special Adviser to Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Public Private Partnerships (PPP), Alhaji Bashir Gidado, said all arrangements have been concluded for the successful take off of the project.

"We're partnering with a company, Hijra Nigeria Ltd, to establish a textile factory in Sokoto. The state government will have a 40 percent equity state in the company and we expect to start production towards the end of 2017.

"As you may be aware, we have abundant raw materials in the state. A large section of our people are cotton farmers so this company will provide a ready market for their products. We are also in touch with others from neighbouring states like Katsina, Kebbi and Zamfara.

"By the time the company is fully on stream, it will provide employment opportunities, create wealth and enhance the socio-economic well-being of the people of the state," he added.

Gidado said the state government will continue to explore the advantages in PPP arrangement because it has proven to be successful in other climes.

"In May this year, a new organic fertiliser plant was commissioned here in Sokoto. The government stake in that is also 40 percent. We have enjoyed the benefit of working closely with private investors so I am confident this textile initiative will also come on stream as scheduled," he said.

According to him, work on the project has already reached 70 percent completion, saying the only thing left is to install some components of the machines which are being awaited for delivery from abroad.