Reps Probe 30 Abandoned Industrial Development Centres

The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to investigate the abandonment of over 30 Industrial Development Centres (IDC) across the country.

The House mandated its committee on industry to investigate the neglect and recommend appropriate optimal utilisation for their objectives and report within four weeks for further legislative action.

This followed the adoption of a motion moved by the member representing Onitsha North/ Onitsha South federal constituency of Anambra State, Hon. Emeka Idu, at the plenary.

Moving the motion, Idu noted that over 30 IDCs were established in the 1970s to provide assistance to small and medium-scale industries.

The lawmaker said that despite the establishment of the four zonal centres in Osogbo, Owerri, Zaria, and Maiduguri, the country has not benefited much from them.

He noted that the main objective of establishing the centres with public funds was to promote industrialisation, reduce foreign exchange demand, and provide numerous benefits to the country.

Idu said the IDCs, particularly the four zonal Centres, were fully equipped with heavy machinery for the purpose of disseminating industrial technical knowledge and skills, which would have tremendously impacted the country’s drive towards industrialisation.

He expressed concern that, “over the years, virtually all of the IDCs, staff, and equipment have deteriorated, and some of the equipment has become obsolete.

“Although the federal government had handed over these Centres to the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) for some years now, nothing has been done holistically to redress the pathetic situation in these centres.

“If this trend is not checked, the country will continue to lose the benefits of industrialisation, which will in turn affect the standard of living of the people.”