FDIs: Matters arising in Jigawa

By Sunusi Usaini Madobi

Since the inception of the present governor of Jigawa State, Muhammad Badaru, he has introduced a series of incentives and packages, to attract both local and International investors, so as to enhance the economic viability of the state, reduce rural/urban migration and create a local economy.
The state, with a 4.6 million population, according to the 2006 census figures, covering a land area of 22,416 square kilometers, has agriculture as the greatest employer of labour and the largest contributor to the its GDP.
The Hadejia Valley Irrigation Project, the Miga Agufa Agricultural Scheme, the Dembo Dam in Kazaure, the Waza Jangargari Agricultural Scheme and the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Baturiya, as well as the three major markets of Sara, Gujungu, and Maigatari   have great potentials of creating wealth and massive employment to the teeming citizenry of the state. This is in addition to several deposits of mineral resources such as kaolin, mixed kaolin, iron ore, re-factory clay, etc.
The State Ministry of Commerce Industry and Co-operatives, under Alhaji Aliyu Sidi Yalleman, is working tirelessly to achieve the desired objectives, even as the Jigawa State Investment and Property Development Company, under Alhaji Haliru Saidu, has recorded tremendous achievements in this sector.
To this end, the volume of investments in the pipeline is in the region of two billion US Dollars with sixty investors, (both local and international) willing to invest in the area of agriculture, mining, tourism/aviation and energy, which would create an estimated 60, 000 new jobs in the state.
The rice out-grower programme in Hago Fadama, aimed to enhance rice production and processing by Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has began to yield fruitful results as farmers who engage in the scheme have already harvested their produce. The Lee Group is equally adopting a sugarcane and ethanol programme in Gagarawa axis, while the Erisco Foods and Beverages is in Taura axis and would soon be ready  for commissioning.  Others include the multibillion Naira foot wear factory at Kijawal, that has already been commissioned and the granite marble factory at Kachi.

The need to mobilize investors that have potential to create wealth and generate employment is very enormous and government has embarked on rigorous investment promotion campaign within and out site the country using the full complement of the office of His Excellency as the chief investment promoter of the state.
The present administration has undertaken a trade tour of the second largest growing economy in the world (China), with representatives of the organized private sector to discuss investment opportunities in the state.
The ministry of commerce has designed a number of strategies to facilitate the growth of micro, small and medium scale enterprises (MSME), with a view to stimulating industrial growth as well as facilitating inter-state and cross-border trade. Among the strategies were the implementation of the trading concept of Maigatari Border free zone; adoption and implementation of Zinder, Daura, Jigawa, Kano trade corridor; completion of the pre-contract of major market developments namely Magatari, Sara, and Gujungu; harmonization of fees and rates in collaboration with Gems 3; registration of 63 business premises as well as drawing a memorandum of understanding with th Nigeria Niger Chamber of Commerce on trading concept of Maigatari free zone.

In the same vein, the present administration equally hosted the 56th annual general meeting of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture; and to enhance equity, justice and fairness, standard weight and measures have been introduced across the state, with a strong implementation committee and legislative backing to be followed later. Already, a large consignment of adulterated sesame and other farm products were seized.
In the area of power supply, three major solar power companies are currently constructing transmission/generating plants called Pan African Renewable Energy, Nova Scotia Power Development Company, and Oriental Renewable Energy with a combined capacity of 250 megawatts across the state, as the provision of the power would enhance industrial growth and economic development as most factories solely depend on power for the production and processing of goods.
In the 21st century as often said, no individual/nation should live on a mono economy. Let me borrow a phrase from the Bill Gates who said one must diversify in the 21st century or die.

The present administration in Jigawa State realized early that agriculture, mining, and other sectors of the economy are the only ways to sustain the state rather than depending solely on petroleum which price is declining in the international market with modern research and the invention of solar battery to reduce the use of petroleum almost on a daily basis
Recently, a high-powered committee from the National Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission undertook a tour of the state, to see the several mineral deposits there. This, according to the Chairman of the committee, who is equally a Federal Commissioner in the commission representing Bayalsa State, was to diversify the nation’s economy rather than living on mono product, adding that the commission, which is vested with the responsibility of mobilization, collection, and distribution of  statutory allocation to the three  tiers of government was really impressed by the several mineral  deposits in the state which when explored, would greatly enhance revenue drive. He said the commission, in collaboration with key players and economic analysts is working tirelessly to expand the revenue base of the country, so as to have more funds for the execution of capital projects and create employment at all levels.

Madobi wrote from Dutse