The Niger State government has made payments and acquired certifications for the establishment of three Special Agro Processing Zones in the state.

During a post-Council briefing at Government House in Minna, the Permanent Secretary, Hamza Sarki Bello, on behalf of the Commissioner for the Ministry of Industry, Trade, Investment, and Private Sector Development, provided an update on the implementation of several Niger State government projects and initiatives.

Niger State Government has paid and obtained certificates for the commencement of 3 Special Agro Processing Zones in the State.

The Commissioner for Ministry of Industry, Trade, Investment, and Private Sector Development, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Hamza Sarki Bello, stated this when he gave an update on the execution of some projects and initiatives of the Niger State government during a post Council briefing at the Government House, Minna.

He said the Special Agro Processing Zones will be in Minna, Takunpara, and Mokwa and highlighted that work will commence soon at the Zones.

The Commissioner also gave an update on the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) and the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport free trade zone where he mentioned that agro activities are ongoing as the State government intends to position the free trade zone as an entry point for exports and to earn Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs).

He explained the various ongoing projects in the State, such as the agro-industrial park in Lambata, which is embedded with other components, including establishing CNG gas plants, upgrading the NSCD suite, and the Five Star, among others. He said they are at different stages of completion.

The Commissioner assured the people of the State that the projects will be completed, considering the level of commitment made by the State government and the expertise involved.

According to him, to guarantee that farmers in Niger State can receivethe product, the State government will offtake roughly 40% of the fertiliser produced as part of the Memorandum of Understanding that will shortly be put into effect.

Speaking on programs and policies, the Commissioner stated that the Ministry’s Niger Commodity and Export Promotion Agency, in partnership with UN Women, a division of the United Nations, has trained 100 women in the processing of shea, gave N38 million in business kits to women and cooperatives, and, as a pilot project, supplied 150 women in the local government areas of Bosso and Chanchaga with biogas.

Source: Tribune Online

Image Credit: The Guardian News