An Opobo-based quantity surveyor, Mr Adasa Diepiri, has called for the establishment of industrial zone in each of the six-geo-political zones of Nigeria, to boost industrial production.
Diepiri who is also the Managing Director of Demarks Investment Company Limited, made the call in Opobo Town while speaking to The Tide, Saturday.
He said that the establishment of the zones would help to encourage local manufacturers and enhance the nation’s production capacity, such that varieties of goods can be produced locally and at low cost.
“If the goods meet international standards, the appetite for foreign products will be discouraged and many people will go for the low-cost locally made products,” he said.
Diepiri said for the industries to be successful, the Federal Government must be ready to provide the needed infrastructure within the industrial zones.
The quantity surveyor said, the industrial zones should have power plants that would be supplying uninterrupted electricity.
“Consideration of the natural resources in each of the six-geo-political zones will determine the kind of products they produce. “This implies that, each of the industrial zones will speciatise in producing goods peculiar to their area.
“With such arrangement, variety of goods will be produced locally in large quantities and can even be packaged for exportation,” he said.
He suggested that the funds to establish the industrial zones could be sourced locally by encouraging some local investors to provide the money.
The expert said that, there were many wealthy Nigerians and corporate organisations that would be willing to sponsor such investments.
“If the operation of the industries kick-off and start to progress, foreign investors may be attracted to invest, resulting to further expansion of the industries,” he added.

Bethel Sam Toby