Lagos leather hub ready in December- Sanwo-Olu

IBRAHIM QUADRI

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu said on Thursday to as part of measures to promote productivity, the State Leather Industrial Hub would commence operation by December.

When completed, the Hub would be able to train about 100 students in the leather works value chain which would include the production of bags, shoes, belts among others.

The Governor made the disclosure while addressing journalists at the location of the leather hub in Matori Industrial Estate, Mushin.

According to Sanwo-Olu, the project is about 65 per cent ready and the contractor has promised to complete work in December.

Sanwo-Olu noted that the project was conceived about one and half years ago to bridge the gap in tannery/leather value chain.

The Governor added that the leather/tannery raw material market in the north now have a ready market which would process the raw materials into finished products.

The hub also comprises about 32 lock-up shops to encourage buying and selling of leather products, while the building will also partner with other leather markets in production.

Meanwhile, the Governor also visited the GAC Motors vehicle assembly plant on Wempco Road, Ogba, where he expressed satisfaction with the progress level.

He noted that equipment had started arriving and it is expected that the line would be able to produce about 5,000 vehicles in the first instance, and later 10,000 vehicles.

According to him, the assembly plant is also an avenue to develop local skills to develop the economy.

Chairman of GAC Motors Daina Chen said the plan is to make GAC motors a household name in Nigeria, as well as the official vehicle for Lagos State. She was happy that the project is taking shape, adding that it will help to improve economic livelihood and provide jobs.