The Rivers State Government has embarked on moves to boost agriculture in the state with the award of about $10 million contract to Israel-based Imagine Adama Agricultural and Technology Company.
Governor Siminalai Hubala inaugurated the two-day Rivers State Economic and Investment Summit (RSEIS) themed “Emerging the River: Forging the Path to Economic Growth and Sustainability” held at the Dr. Obi Wali International Conference. This was made clear in the ceremony. In the heart of Port Harcourt.
He said the Israeli organization would help develop the state’s huge agricultural potential, including the revival of abandoned agricultural projects and infrastructure such as the Rivers Songhai farm.
He said the agreement would also help rehabilitate school-to-land farms, fish farms, feed mills, oil palm plantations and poultry farms in the state this financial year.
Hubala said: “We have entered into discussions with Israel’s Imagine Adama Agricultural Technology Company to develop abandoned and abandoned Rivers Songhai farms, school-to-land farms, fish farms, feed mills, oil palm plantations and poultry farms across the state. We are supporting the development of the state’s huge agricultural potential, including the revival of agricultural projects and infrastructure.
“We’ve allocated about $10 million to this project this fiscal year.”
Hubala also said Rivers State, with over 40 per cent fertile and arable land, could significantly contribute to national food security through mechanized agriculture and commercial investments in the agro-processing industry value chain. .
“There are several state-owned but declining enterprises, farmland and business infrastructure, such as palm oil plantations, rubber plantations, poultry farms and fish farms, that can be taken over and revitalized by interested private investors,” the governor added.
He said Rivers now has a more active investment-friendly environment that reassures investors that they have the necessary returns to invest in agriculture and other sectors.
Hubala added that with a renewed commitment to reindustrializing the state, his administration is taking steps to ensure that a large number of manufacturing plants that have ceased operations in the state can return.
Hubala said: “We have already implemented certain policy initiatives and reforms, including the expedited allocation and issuance of land title and occupancy certificates to prospective investors, and the suspension of state taxes and surcharges on new businesses. .
“We are also working towards harmonising state and local taxes to eliminate double taxation and multiple taxation on investors.
“Two weeks ago, we launched a 4 billion naira matching fund loan facility in collaboration with the Bank of Industry for small, medium and micro enterprises to drive financial inclusion, promote the growth and development of these enterprises, grow our economy and create jobs and wealth for our people.
“We have signed a development agreement with TAF Nigeria Limited to construct 20,000 mixed residential units in Greater Port Harcourt City. , we have signed a new development agreement with GOSH Nigeria Limited,” he said.
Chairman of the event, Donald Duke, a former Governor of Cross River State, said the summit marked a resurgence of resolve to right the wrongs of past disinvestment and build a lasting foundation that will underpin the implementation of deliberate policies to move Rivers State forward.
Duke said the Nigerian government should stop simply flaunting the country’s large population and instead train its people to be productive and contribute to the country’s economy so that the country reaches the pinnacle of economic growth. said it should.
