The Minister of State for Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, has said that the government is going to rebuild all the structures it has put in place to create jobs, wealth and make the economy grow.The Minister expressed regret over the dilapidated structures on various government institutions, adding that if there must be change, all the equipment in various institutions must be changed and refurbished where necessary so that the vision of our forefathers should be actualized. 'We just need change because President Jonathan is set to deliver the dividends of democracy that will improve on the lives of our people' the Minister said.Dr. Ortom was speaking during facility tours of departments and agencies under the Ministry of Trade and Investment in Kaduna and Kano State recently.The Minister advised staff of the organisations under his Ministry to change their attitude to work and be caring for equipment under their custody. He charged all the Federal Government institutions in various states to collaborate with states to make all the facilities work as the states and local governments are the first beneficiaries if the equipment start to function because a lot of youths will get trained and get employment and will also generate wealth for the entire citizenry as the facilities are situated on their various soils.'We shall change these places to make it functional; millions of Nigerians are roaming the streets without jobs. If these places are functional, it will employ the teeming population of our youths; we must change our approach by being determined that things work because if there is no reversal, Nigeria will have no justification for whatever everybody in one position or other is doing', he said.Dr. Ortom challenged the auto industries in Nigeria to do something in accordance with the transformation agenda of this administration. Promising that he will encourage patronage of made-in-Nigeria motors.He used the opportunity to visit the Executive Governors of Kaduna State, Mr. Patrick Yakowa and his counterpart in Kano State, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, where he told them he was in their States to familiarize himself with agencies under the Ministry and to seek collaboration to form synergy for development. He stated that on going projects in their States are meant to benefit their indigenes and develop the country.The Minister also used the opportunity to inspect lab facilities of Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), the new zonal office of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), the inspection of Centre for Automotive Design and Development (CADD), National Automotive Council (NAC) and Small and Medium Enterprises of Nigeria (SMEDAN) facilities in Zaria, inspection of Industrial Development Centres (IDC) Offices in Zaria and Kano.The Minister also visited the National Truck Manufacturing Company in Kano, ITF Mechatronic Workshop, ITF Mechanic Workshop, the Industrial Skill Training Centre, Kano and visited the Kano International Trade Fair and the Free Trade Zone, all in Kano.
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