) Kaduna State Government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening partnership with the manufacturing sector to stimulate investment, create jobs and promote sustainable economic growth in the state.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe, made this known on Thursday at the 29th Joint Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Kaduna Branches.
The meeting brought together manufacturers from Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states to deliberate on challenges confronting the sector and possible ways of strengthening its contribution to the economy.
Balarabe said the manufacturing sector remained a critical engine of wealth creation, employment, investment, innovation and value addition.
She said every factory established, production line expanded and product introduced into the market created opportunities for citizens while strengthening the economic foundation of the state and the region.
According to her, the story of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector is one of resilience, enterprise and people who continued to believe in the country even when it was easier to lose hope.
“The manufacturing sector is not merely a component of our economy; it is a critical engine of wealth and job creation, investment, innovation, value addition and sustainable economic development.
“Every factory that opens, every production line that expands and every new product that enters the market creates opportunities for our people and strengthens the economic foundation of our state and region,” she said.
The deputy governor said the theme of the AGM, which focused on Nigeria’s tax reforms and the way forward for the manufacturing sector, was timely, given the ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to reform the nation’s tax system.
She said the success of tax reforms should not be measured only by the revenue generated, but also by the confidence they created among businesses.
“For manufacturers, the success of tax reforms cannot be measured merely by how much revenue government collects. It must also be measured by how much confidence it creates among businesses.
“The question is not whether government needs revenue; it definitely does. The question is how we can mobilise revenue to provide infrastructure and public services while creating an environment where businesses can survive, expand and prosper,” Balarabe said.
She said the Kaduna State Government had continued to pursue reforms aimed at improving the business environment, strengthening institutions, upgrading infrastructure and making the state more attractive to investors.
Balarabe said the administration had simplified business-related taxes and charges as part of its ease-of-doing-business initiatives, thereby reducing complaints about multiple taxation and improving the relationship between government and the business community.
She also highlighted the Cross-Sector System for Revenue Administration, known as Project CRAFT, as part of the state’s efforts to modernise revenue administration.
According to her, the initiative integrates technology, governance frameworks, stakeholder engagement and advisory services to create a transparent and efficient revenue administration system.
The deputy governor, however, stressed that taxation was a civic responsibility and an important instrument for financing public services.
She said revenue generated through taxation was needed to fund critical sectors such as education, healthcare, security, water supply and infrastructure, which businesses and citizens depended upon.
Balarabe called for a stronger and more open channel of communication between government and organised private sector, saying such partnership was critical to the future of the state’s economy.
She also urged manufacturers to deepen collaboration with government in the areas of education, apprenticeship, industrial training, internships and skills development.
“Let our factories become classrooms; let our industries become laboratories of innovation; let our experienced manufacturers become mentors for young entrepreneurs.
“The greatest benefit we can give young people is not merely the promise of a job, but an economy capable of creating millions of meaningful opportunities,” she said.
Balarabe said the success of manufacturers would have a multiplier effect on workers, families, young people, government revenue and the wider economy.
She commended MAN for sustaining the annual platform and for choosing Kaduna as the venue for the joint AGM.
She said the forum provided an opportunity for government and the private sector to move beyond discussing challenges and focus on practical solutions to strengthen the manufacturing sector.
The deputy governor reaffirmed the state government’s readiness to deepen engagement with manufacturers and other stakeholders to build a more competitive, resilient and investment-friendly economy.
She said Kaduna remained committed to creating an environment where businesses could confidently invest, produce, expand operations and create jobs for its growing population. (NAN)
