Saudi Arabian Investors Target Agriculture, Others In Niger State
The ongoing efforts by Niger State Government to boost the economy of the state has received a boost as Saudi Arabian Investors buy-into various investment opportunities in agriculture and Dualisation of Minna-Bida road projects.
Governor Mohammed Bago said this at the sideline of the high-powered level negotiation with Saudi Arabian – Nigeria Roundtable Meeting held in Mecca, led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Governor Bago, the negotiation with the Saudi Arabian include the Dualisation of Bida – Minna Road.
While confirming that the State and Investors have resolved to collaborate on agriculture, he explained that the Investors have resolved to choose Niger State “as the State for the first pilot scheme because of our closeness to the FCT, our bodies of water for irrigation.
“We have four hydropower dams that are currently functional.
“We have bodies of streams and water. We have both River Niger and River Benue.
“We are the largest producer of Sheanut and also paddy rice in Nigeria.
“So, this is a very opportunity and avenue to showcase ourselves, which we have done. And we have gotten interested collaboration,” the elated Governor Bago said.
Earlier in his address, President Tinubu, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, advanced negotiations concerning a multi-billion dollar infrastructure finance facility from the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) to fund a multi-sectoral portfolio of infrastructure projects at both Federal and Sub-national levels in Nigeria.
During the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Summit, the President of Islamic Development Bank announced the provision of US$50 billion of new investment for the African continent from the Arab Coordination Group (ACG).
In the same vein, the Islamic Development Bank Vice-President also reiterated the Bank’s resolve to support Nigeria’s economic transformation.
As the largest market and the largest economy in Africa, Nigeria is expected to secure a significant share of the multi-billion dollar investment for the Continent.
Olusola Akintonde
