The Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, says harnessing solid minerals and agriculture potentials of Kaduna state is critical to its sustainable inclusive development.
Jamoh, represented by Mr Francis Odukuye, Deputy Director, Shipping Promotional of NIMASA, said this on Wednesday at NIMASA Day at the ongoing 43rd Kaduna International trade fair.
The theme of the years’ fair is “Re-strategising Nigeria’s Economy for Global Competitiveness.”
He said that the effectiveness of entrepreneurs and investors in converting the numerous opportunities in the agricultural and mineral sectors would help significantly in job creation and income generation.
“It will also alleviate poverty and enhance economic growth, given the diverse risks and uncertainties that exist in the sector,” he said.
Jamoh said that the extent to which domestic and foreign entrepreneurs, either individually or as joint ventures, involve themselves in the process of developing the two sectors along its value chain, would also strengthen economic diversification.
According to him, exploiting natural resources in a socially and environmentally sustainable way, is a standing point towards country’s development.
“Kaduna, standing in a favourable border position with Zamfara, Katsina, Abuja, Bauchi and Nasarawa states, has numerous advantages to drive its economy to greater heights.
“The discovery of natural resources such as tin, nickel, lithium, molybdenum, tantalite, wolfamite, and agricultural produce such as ginger, watermelon and soya beans in Kaduna State will help in effective funding of critical assets in the state,” he said.
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The NIMASA DG observed that youths’ lack of interest in agriculture, aging of current farmers and lack of storage facilities had resulted in huge wastages.
He called for strengthening of regulatory and institutional frameworks to deal with the numerous economic, political, social and environmental challenges hindering the development of agriculture and natural resources in Kaduna State and the country in general.
Jamoh also called for the formulation of policies on mainstreaming, inclusive growth and development in strategic development of value addition in the mineral and agricultural sector.
Earlier, Mr Ishaya Idi, representative of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA), said the trade fair provided avenue for the promotion and development of industries and industrial inputs.
He said that the agency also facilitates the promotion of all aspects of economic sectors through national and international cooperation.
Idi said the theme of the years’ fair was deliberately chosen to complement the efforts of government in promoting economic growth and stability.
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