The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MOTI) has acquired 60 acres of land for an industrial park project at Channayili in the Tolon district of the Northern Region.

The park will be used for industrial activities such as tomato-canning, smock-weaving, shea production, among others.

The Northern Regional Trade officer, Samuel Wood, told the B&FT that the ministry is in the process of registering the land for commencement of the project to augment government’s policy of One Region, One Industrial Park.

According to him, the ability to implement the projects could help leverage economic growth of the region and the country, thereby reducing the unemployment rate.

He explained that a series of investor meetings has been organised on a periodic basis for potential investors.

“The ministry is keen on ensuring the establishment of the One District, One Factory project in all the Municipal and District Assemblies across the region to help curb the poverty rate,” he said.

According to him, the ministry is in consultation with financial institutions to release funds for promoters in the catchment areas to commence the project.

“Hopefully, in this year 2019, funds will be released by the financial institutions so the promoters can start the various projects across the region,” he said.

However, he said some financial institutions in 2018 released funds to some promoters in the region for commencement of the project after meeting the banks’ requirements.

“We, as the ministry, will embark on rigorous monitoring to ensure value for money as well as quality work for sustainability of the projects,” he said.

He stressed that the ministry has started awareness-creation through the Municipal and District implementation support teams, on the numerous benefits expected of the projects earmarked for the various communities.

He urged those in agriculture, especially the youth, to team up with the various promoters by providing raw materials for the operation and sustainability of the factories when completed.

This, he noted, will help curb the unemployment rates – leading to less migration of young people from rural areas to the urban centres in search of menial jobs.

He appealed for the construction of roads leading to the various farming communities to enhance smooth transportation of farm produce to the various factories and markets, which is the surest way of boosting economic activities in the country.

He also appealed for the traditional chiefs to help release lands for the planned industrial activities.