Commerce and Industry
Aware of the need to attract investors to the State to develop its vast resources, the Plateau State Government has set up the Plateau Industrial Development Authority (PIDA) to serve as a link between it and the business community. In pursuit of government policy, PIDA offers the following incentives to prospective investors in the state: (1) the development of industrial estates in each LGA, (2) facilitating the timely issuance of certificate of occupancy of industrial or business sites, (3) waiver of fees in respect of land transactions involving new businesses, (4) granting the option of conversation of compensation for land to equity shares in new projects to customary owners of the land involved, (5) exemption of new businesses from property rates for a specified period and (6) allocation of a large sum of money (N3 million at the outset in 1986) annually to support agro-allied industries.
Industrial Potentialities
Industrial Potentialities: The abundant agricultural and mineral resources in Plateau State provide a solid base for the rapid industrialization of the state. industries which can be profitably established using local raw materials are food processing, beer and beverage industries utilising wheat, barley, maize, Irish potatoes, yams, fruits and vegetables produced in the state; milk and milk product industries based on modernized livestock rearing on the Jos Plateau. There are also local raw materials to support building material industries such as clay bricks, ceramics, tiles, glass, steel and metal sheets. There are opportunities as well for the expansion of the production of animal vaccines, bottling of spring water, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and toiletries in the state.
Existing Industries
Existing industries in Plateau State fall into two categories-cottage and factory industries. The cottage industries which are widely distributed throughout the state include black smithing for the making of simple tools, pottery, mat making and leather works. Factory industries are mostly concentrated in Jos which is one of the leading industrial centres in northern Nigeria. There are over 60 factory industrial establishments in Jos. They range in size from small to very large and depend entirely on imported machinery and a combination of local and imported raw materials for their production. These industries engage in various forms of manufacturing which include food processing, production of packaging materials, cosmetics, furniture, confectioneries, livestock feeds, detergent, beer, soft drinks, pharmaceuticals, building materials, steel and metal sheets, book publishing, tin smelting and lead materials. The Jos Steel Rolling Mills, NASCO and Highland Bottling Company are examples of modern large scale manufacturing industries in Jos.