Insecurity hampering operations at Niger’s $12bn fertiliser company
The Niger State government has disclosed that security challenges are among the key reasons why its fertiliser company in Zungeru, Wushishi Local Government Area, has yet to commence operations, despite the state investing $12 billion to revamp it. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Alhaji Hamza Sarki Bello, made this known […]
The Niger State government has disclosed that security challenges are among the key reasons why its fertiliser company in Zungeru, Wushishi Local Government Area, has yet to commence operations, despite the state investing $12 billion to revamp it.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce and Investment, Alhaji Hamza Sarki Bello, made this known during a post-State Executive Council Meeting media briefing at the Government House, Minna, on Tuesday.
He explained that the state government had reviewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the previous administration to ensure the company begins operations by the end of the month.
“The last administration engaged a developer and foreign investor, an Indian company, to inject $12 million to resuscitate the Niger Fertiliser Company. For some reason, that has not been achieved. Just last month, we reviewed the MOU, and they are going to commence work by the end of this month.
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“The major issues raised that made them not commence production were insecurity, and it has been reviewed. All machines have been put in place, but the company could not start production due to insecurity,” he said.
He noted that the commencement of fertiliser production would increase farmers’ access to fertiliser at a lower cost in the state.
Bello also revealed that the state’s 5-star hotel project is expected to cost N9.5 billion.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Binta Mamman, stated that the security situation in the state had significantly improved, enabling farmers who previously could not access their farms to return freely now.
“In the past, many people were not able to go to their farms, but they can now go to the farm freely. I am not going to give too much insight into what is happening so that we can all be on the same page, but the situation is not as it used to be,” she said.
Mamman added that the administration remains committed to delivering good governance and prioritising citizens’ welfare.