Niger State government has secured an investment worth over One trillion Naira (N1.094 trillion) in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) from Chinese firms to boost agriculture and to position the state as a hub for agro-industrial processing.
This milestone agreement was signed during a Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), marking a major breakthrough as part of efforts by the Governor Umar Bago to boost the state economy through job creation for about five thousand jobless Nigerlites.
State Commissioner for Commerce and Investment, Aminu Suleiman Takuma disclosed this after the ground-breaking and signing of the agreement at Government House, Minna.
Aminu Takuma said the state is on track to reposition itself as a major player in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, taking full advantage of the state’s verse arable land and driven by the new Niger agenda of Governor Umaru Bago.
“We have taken a significant step towards transforming the agricultural sector through a partnership with Chinese investors and have also secured an investment worth $684 million (N1.094 trillion) in the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) from China Overseas Engineering Group Company Limited (COVEC) and China Railway Engineering Corporation (CREC)”.
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According to him, “This milestone agreement was signed during the recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), marking a major breakthrough in the administration’s efforts to boost the state economy and to create jobs for about five thousand women and youths”.
The Umar Bago led administration, he said had a crucial meeting with the African Development Bank (AfDB) team, COVEC and CREC to discuss the implementation plan for the SAPZ development aimed at transforming agriculture into internationally competitive sector across Africa.
Focusing on high-potential commodities, Takuma expressed optimism that the facility will promote increased productivity, value addition, market access and as well private sector investments that will propel the economy to enviable heights.
Also in his remarks, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abubakar Usman said the project is expected to revolutionize agricultural landscape of Niger state by stimulating socio-economic growth and development.
“With the support of COVEC and CREC, Niger state is not only poised to become a model for agricultural transformation in Nigeria, but will attract significant investments from local and international partners”.
The SSG said, “The program will boost agricultural productivity and make the state a hub for agro-industrial processing and generate thousands of employment opportunities for the local populace”.
