The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation headed by Mr Adejumobi P.O conducted an industrial visit to Kalia Footwear, Oja-Iya in Ilorin Kwara State.
RMRDC is vested with the mandate to promote the development of Nigeria’s raw materials for industrial growth. Part of the activities of the state offices is to the conduct industrial visit to industries within the state to ascertain the existing industries in the state, their raw materials need, process technology, investment opportunities, their products, challenges and how the office can come in as government representative in proffering possible solutions.
In a statement made available to Just Event Online TV
Addressing the Councils, the CEO of Kalia Footwear, Ibrahim Kale Jimoh disclosed that the business line was established in the year 2012 to promote made-in-Kwara products.
“At present, the company has a staff strength of 13 comprising students on their industrial training and graduates in search of a greener pasture. The company does not belong to any cluster. However, it was once a member of the Association of Shoe and Bag Manufacturers of Nigeria (ASBAM), Kwara State Chapter”.
Speaking further, he said the company had enjoyed the support of the Kwara State government through KWASSIP (a grant of one million nairas (N1,000,000:00)).
The grant was used to rent a befitting office and acquired some shoe-making tools, materials and foreign chemicals from Italy (only xl opaco, super toledo (dye), antique super). The chemicals were used to achieve quality production to meet modern demands, he said.
The basic raw materials used in the production of leather shoes are leather (Hide and skin), gum, thread and soft skin for the lining. Most of these raw materials are gotten from Ilorin, Aba and Lagos. The basic tools used in shoemaking are hammers, mallets, gas burners, industrial machinery, and grinding machines. Due to the high cost of some of the industrial machines for shoe making, the company has resulted in improvising some of these machines. This results in a huge amount of production time and the outputs are still below standards. The products are cover shoes, half shoes, slippers, sandals and palm slippers for both children and adults. The waste from production is usually disposed into the waste bin provided by the state government.
Kale Jimoh called for the need for continuous research on shoe design and production.
“He further quotes Jackman who is the founder of Alibaba “In the past, it is knowledge and wisdom driven; today, it is technology driven; but in the future, it is creativity-driven, Imagination to reality and problem-solving skills”. And that’s where we expect the government and everyone should focus on”.
The team however recommended the need for enlightenment and sensitization for shoemakers in Kwara State on the need for modern training in shoe production. It also noted that the state Government should organize empowerment and sponsored training programmes for shoemakers in the state to enhance made-in-Kwara products.
” Provision of the industrial sewing machine, oven machine instead of the gas burner, pressing machine in place of the hammer, lasting machine and post bed (double needle)’.
“Industrial visit to other shoemakers within the state such as the one in TIC and the chair of the Association of Shoe and Bag Manufacturers of Nigeria (ASBAM), Kwara State Chapter”.
“The government should encourage the local processing of hides and skin into leather”
