By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Niger State Government has obtained certificates for the commencement of three Special Agro-Processi...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Niger State Government has obtained certificates for the commencement of three Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZs) across the state.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Industry, Trade, Investment, and Private Sector Development, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hamza Sarki Bello, during a post-Council briefing at the Government House, Minna.
According to the Commissioner, the Special Agro-Processing Zones will be established in Minna, Takunpara, and Mokwa, with work set to begin soon.
Providing further updates, he said agro-related activities are currently ongoing at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport Free Trade Zone, with the government aiming to position the zone as a gateway for exports and to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the state.
He also highlighted other ongoing projects, including the Agro-Industrial Park in Lambata, which features multiple components such as the establishment of CNG gas plants, the upgrading of the NSCD suite, and the construction of a five-star facility. These projects, he noted, are at various stages of completion.
The Commissioner assured residents that the projects would be completed, given the high level of commitment by the state government and the expertise involved.
On the resuscitation of the Niger State Fertiliser Company in Zungeru—a project initiated under a partnership between the previous administration and an Indian firm—he revealed that the Ministries of Industry and Agriculture have met with the investor and resolved outstanding issues from earlier negotiations.
He announced that implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would soon commence, with fertiliser production expected to begin. The state government plans to off-take 40% of the fertiliser produced to ensure availability for farmers across Niger State.
In terms of programmes and policies, the Commissioner also revealed that the Niger Commodity and Export Promotion Agency, under the Ministry, in collaboration with UN Women—an agency of the United Nations—has trained 100 women in shea processing. Additionally, business kits worth N38 million were distributed to the women and their cooperatives, while 150 women in Bosso and Chanchaga local government areas benefited from biogas as part of a pilot project.
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