Gov. Ishaku Woos Investors to Taraba State
Taraba state Governor, Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku has called on genuine investors to come and invest in Taraba state which is naturally endowed with varieties of natural resources.
Governor Darius Ishaku said this at the 12th Abuja international trade fair on the occasion of Taraba special day, with the theme: “Returning Nigeria to the path of sufficiency through Non-oil Exports”, which significantly captures the state slogan, ‘Natures gift to the nation,”
Darius Ishaku used the opportunity to invite investors into the state to take advantage of the state’s vast potentials in agriculture, solid minerals and tourism, saying that he is determined to leverage on the opportunity provided by the trade fair to create a positive synergy with a view to making Taraba state vibrant and the most preferred destination in areas of agriculture, solid minerals and tourism.
He maintained that most of the natural endowment could be easily harness by willing investors that intends to partner with Taraba state Government with a view to repositioning the state as one of the most vibrant state in the areas of agriculture, solid minerals and tourism.
The Governor told the crowd gathered during the Taraba day that, apart from the unique features of the state, it also has the largest concentration of cattle in the country as well as the only tea plantation in West Africa which produces the Highland Tea and has the largest natural park in the West Africa, the Gashaka Gumpti National Park.
Speaking further, Governor Darius Ishaku said very soon the issue of power failure in Taraba state and indeed the country will be a thing of the past as the Kashimbila Dam which has the capacity to give about 40 megawatts of electricity has been completed awaiting commissioning.
On the issue of rice farming, the Taraba state Governor said very soon the TY Holdings will soon begin rice production in the state while the Dangote Group will equally commence sugar production in the state and stressed that, the collaboration with these two major investors will see to the realisation of Taraba’s goal in its industrialisation process.
Governor Ishaku lamented that the placement of resources under the exclusive list has slowed down the state but said he is determined to fully harness the vast potentials that are found in the state and added that the state government has resolved to over come the challenges by partnering with the Federal Government to regulate the activities of artisan miners in the state and form them into a formal group so that both government and the people can benefit from their activities.
He applauded the ongoing reforms in the mining sector as a welcome development which will translate into creating wealth for the people and generate employment for the teaming unemployed youths and earn revenue for the country and used the opportunity to call on the National Assembly to use the current constitutional amendments to bid for the transfer of solid minerals resources to the concurrent legislative list to enable states control the exploitation to better their lots.
The Governor remarked that, Taraba state is a mini Nigeria with over 300 ethnic nationalities.
Accordingly, he said his administration is working assiduously to harness the state potentials by resucitating some of its ailing industries.
In his speech, the Taraba state Commissioner of Commerce and Tourism, Iliyasu Mohammed Ajibu stated that Abuja International Trade Fair occupies a virile place in promoting economic development in Nigeria because of its site in the administrative headquarters of the nation.
Iliyasu Ajibu maintained that the Abuja International trade fair offers opportunity for cross fertilisation of ideas cutting across private sector, business operators both within and outside the country as well as policy and law makers and stressed Taraba state has keyed into it right from start about 12 years ago.
The Commissioner said the theme of the fair which is “Returning Nigeria to the path of sufficiency through Non-oil Exports” is in tandem with the rescue mission of Governor Darius Ishaku which is poised to diversify the economic base of the state away from a single resource economy.
He disclosed that the state Governor is working very hard to make sure that there is increase in production as well as the exportation of tea, rice, cocoa, vegetables and solid minerals in the state.
Iliyasu Ajibu used the opportunity to call on private investors for an effective partnership to exploit and use the resources that abound in Taraba state.
In his remarks, the President of the Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry, represented by the Director General, Chief Ike Chukwu said the Abuja International Trade Fair started in 1986 and Taraba has been an active participant since its inception.
Ike Chukwu commended Taraba state government for being a worthy partner and for supporting the initiative of the Abuja International Trade Fair.
He stated that the essence of the fair is to improve on the country’s economy by deepening the horizon of indigenous company thereby creating a platform to showcase the nation’s endowment in all spheres and tasks state governments to create conducive atmosphere in their various states for investors to take advantage of and which he said will translate into a better economy for the nation.
The climax of the event was the presentation of an outstanding excellent award in field of commerce and industry by the management of Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry to Governor Darius Dickson Ishaku for the great work he is doing to re-energise ailling companies in the state.
Governor Darius Ishaku later inspected the Taraba state pavilion which showcases the enormous potentials the state is blessed with.
Taraba State Government has task participants at the end of a one day capacity training workshop organised by Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in jalingo to look inwards and impact the knowledge acquired during the training for the overall benefit of the economy of the state.
The state government which gave the charge shortly after the workshop for SMES/ MSMES in the state commended participants for attending the workshop.
State Commissioner, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Hon, peter George represented by the permanent secretary, Dr. Isa Mohammed Hamza appreciated NEPC for choosing to organized an important workshop of this kind in the state, pointing out that it is timely particularly now that foreign exchange is becoming scarce with its attendant negative impact on the economy.
“The necessity for proper enlightenment and education of the operators which is exactly what this workshop promises to do, I implore you to listen attentively to the resource persons so as to learn from their wealth of experience and knowledge for the overall benefit of our states”, he said.
In his address, the state co-coordinator, NEPC Jalingo, Ahmed Tijjani Ahijo said the program was design to expose participants to export rudiments on the necessary document required at every stage and procedures to follow as well as to meet up with the requirement in line with international standard for seamless exporting of products into the global market to repatriate foreign exchange into the country.
Theme of the workshop “procedures and documentation, an overview of practical experience” according to state coordinator was to enable participants understand that proper documentation of export business provide an edge to access numerous benefits from within and outside the shore of the country thereby leverage on international communities assistance, commercial banks facilities and incentive from Nigerian export promotion council.
He further pointed out that obtaining necessary documents will also project the good image of the company to gain the trust of the buyer in the global market, thereby save the embracement of corrupt officers at the port of origin and help the buyer to clear the goods at the port of destination.
Meanwhile in a 44 page paper presentation titled export procedure and documentation (practical experience on export) by the resource person Hon. Salisu Sabo emphasized on the importance of export procedures and documentation.
According to him the importance dwells on minimization of export risk and enhances conformity with importing countries specification, packaging and labeling as well as formalizes the export business through fund repatriation and providing export data among others.
On its part, Mr. K.O Balanko who spoke on behalf of other participants thanked NEPC and the resource person for putting a unique workshop of this nature, describing it as life rewarding and applauded Taraba state government for accorded them the opportunity to be part of the workshop.