Farmer Mohammed Umaru Bago has inspected the 5,000 agricultural equipment delivered to the state and the remodelled terminal at the International Airport, Minna.
The inspection by the Farmer Governor was in anticipation of the State visit by President Ahmed Bola Tinubu next week to inaugurate the Airport and the farm equipment.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the inspection, the Governor said the farm implements are being coupled and that the remodelled terminal is at 99% completion.
He expressed government readiness to receive the President.
According to him, “We are very well prepared to receive Mr. President. The terminal is 99% completed and the assembling of the machines is ongoing. So far so good, we are sure that before Mr President comes here a very significant number of these tractors would have been fully assembled”, he said.
On the Airport City Free Zone, the Farmer Governor disclosed that 2,000 hectares of land have been cleared already for the cultivation of fresh vegetables, fruits, meats and other dairy products for exportation, adding that the special agro-processing zone in the state will be the largest in Africa.
The Farmer Governor who observed that Niger State sells about half a million cattle weekly, said that the agro-processing zone will allow easy exportation of frozen meats instead of live cattle and also create value-chain as well as employment.
He said the 2000 hectares will be expanded to 10,000 hectares of land for further agricultural activities in the Airport Free Zone.
Speaking on infrastructural development in the area, the Farmer Governor said 140km length of water irrigation will be drawn to the Special Agro-processing Free Zone from Shiroro dam.
He further stated that 80 mgwt of power will be provided at the airport city project pointing out that it will attract a lot of investment into the state.
The Farmer Governor who reiterated his commitment to usemaking Niger State an Agricultural hub of the Nation, called for the support of Nigerlites towards the realization of his set goals.
Also speaking to newsmen, the National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Dr. Chris Isiguzo described the developmental initiative of the Governor as unprecedented and transformative, adding that the ongoing infrastructural and agricultural projects at the Minna Airport revealed the commitment of the present administration to the development of the State.
Isiguzo who lauded the commitment of the State Governor to people-oriented projects noted that the decision to embark on the completion of the Airport project which is supposed to be a federal project speaks volumes about the administration in the State.
Bologi Ibrahim
Chief Press Secretary
to the Governor of Niger State
8/3/2024.
