Zamfara state government is to partner with the Russian government in developing critical sectors of the state’s economy, Governor Bello Mohammed Matawallen has said.
A statement by the director general, press affairs, Government House, Gusau, Yusuf Idris Gusau, quoted the governor as saying this Monday during a visit to the Russian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Alexey L.Shebarshin in Abuja.
The meeting focused on improving the state’s agriculture, solid minerals development and exploration as well as education and health.
The envoy said Russian government was ready to partner the state government and work together in order to assist the present government in improving the state’s economy as well as create wealth among indigenes of citizens.
He said his country, which specialises in mineral exploration and excavation, would provide the state with expertise to enhance the state’s economy for global marketing.
The envoy also extended an invitation to the governor on the upcoming first Russia/African Union Summit coming up October, 24-25,2019, which would focus on fostering economic, political and cultural co-operations.
He said during the summit, the governor would be invited to visit one of the biggest Russian gold mining companies transformed by high technology mining equipment.
Earlier, Governor Matawalle said he was at the embassy to seek a strong partnership on how best to develop the state’s critical sectors of the economy and to have foreign investors, especially in agriculture and solid minerals.
He said the visit was to also to afford the state the benefits of Russia’s expertise, for which it is known in developing countries by extending same to Zamfara through transfer of technology.
The governor further solicited the partnership of the Russian government in transforming the state’s agricultural sector to make it an-all-year round activity, with greater benefit to the farmers through the deployment of modern farming technology.
On solid minerals, the governor said various mineral resources were available in the state in commercial quantities.
These, he said, include; gold, uranium, manganese, kaolin, granite, tantalite and zinc and requested the Russian government to come and invest in the state solid minerals exploration.
He also solicited the country to consider giving scholarships to indigenes of the state considering Russia’s reputation of academic excellence globally.
On the governor’s delegation were the state’s Head of Service, Alhaji Kabiru Balarabe, Special Adviser to the Governor on Solid Minerals Resources and Environment Nura Isah, Directorate Head of Heritage Bank Bashir Hadeja, Mr George Oko-oboh and Director General Press Affairs to the Governor Yusuf Idris Gusau.
