Shoe, belt, bag manufacturers seek support to improve products 

By Godfrey Ofurum

Association of Leather and Allied Industrialists of Nigeria (ALAIN), an association of shoe, belt and bag makers in Nigeria, has advised the federal government to increase capacity of artisans in the finished leader sector, by providing them with equipment, to enable them scale up production, as well as improve product quality.

Ken Anyanwu, national secretary, ALAIN, who made the appeal in an interview with Business a.m., in Aba, the commercial hub of Abia State, stated that such support from the federal government would create wealth and arrest youth restiveness.

He noted that providing artisans with modern equipment that are not readily available in the country, would not only improve their product quality, but also create jobs.

“I call on the federal government to source  machines for artisan shoe manufacturers in the country.

“If something like that is done, it will encourage more youths to come into shoe production and thereby reduce the number of unemployed youths in the country.

“Some of these machines are fabricated here in Aba, like the sole-press machine.

“Government  can empower youths with sole-press machines, while the heavy duty machines, like cutting machines, toe lasting machines and the back counters could also be provided on hire purchase.

“We have tried to help ourselves, through cooperatives, but it is not working for us. So, if a group of individuals are given one machine, they would be made to pay for it. If about 10,000 people are assisted, it will improve the sector,” he stated.

Anyanwu warned that if nothing is done to scale up shoe production in Nigeria that other serious minded African countries will take the market from them, a development he observed would generate more problems for the country, because more youths would be thrown out of work.