Governor, Darius Ishaku. Photo: Sodiq
Adelakun/ChannelsTV
The Taraba State Governor, Arc Darius Ishaku has
urged investors willing to develop the state not to be frightened
by stories of insecurity in the North-Eastern part of
Nigeria.
He said though Taraba is located in the region, it is not
affected heavily by insecurity, caused by Boko Haram
Insurgency.
While describing Taraba as a state of immense potentials waiting
to be harnessed, the Governor drew the attention of the state’s
would-be investors of his willingness to Feed Nigeria through rice
farming.
The Governor was speaking when he held a virtual meeting with
US-based Foreign Development and Investment Groups led by Mahmood
Mustapha Founder & Futurist FiLab, Silvio F. Pupo CEO Logos
Capital, and Peter Mendez President & CEO 1st SOS Inc.
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Ishaku during the meeting noted that Taraba was desperately
looking for investment partners that could assist the state in
growing its economy to adequately take care of the growing needs of
the youths in the state for gainful employment.
The group’s areas of special interest, which formed the crux of
the meeting is the development of investment opportunities for
boosting economic growth.
The team had earlier told Gov Ishaku that the group have
expertise in the establishment of malls, promotion of agriculture,
the hospitality industry and mineral resources development and
marketing.
Ishaku who was visibly elated by the level of experience of the
group in these areas assured them of the willingness of his
administration to partner with them to quicken the pace of
development of the state.
He said the idea of establishing a mall will serve as a great
attraction and suggested that the first branch of the mall be
located in Jalingo, the state capital.
This, he said, would complement the success of his
administration’s Green House project in Jalingo which is already
enjoying an expansive market for its products, which include
tomatoes, pepper, lettuce, cucumber and other vegetables will use
the malls as its primary outlets.
The Governor promised to put a helicopter owned by the State
Government at the disposal of the group to facilitate
collaboration.
Another major area of discussion was how to expand rice farming,
packaging, and marketing, where Ishaku told the group that Taraba
has one of the best soil to grow rice and require assistance in
promoting its marketing.
He said more than sixteen thousand rice farmers in the state
have been empowered by his administration since 2017, all who have
become prosperous and the envy of other residents.
He insists his administration was determined to do much more for
farmers through dry season rice farming which is more productive,
stressing that he would love to see many small but functional rice
mills established in the state as part of the partnership.
Ishaku however, requested the expert advice and assistance of
the group for his government to make farming more attractive to
youths in the state.
The Governor solicited for collaboration with the group to
promote tourism in Taraba State, noting that the Gashaka Gumti Park
located in the state was already attracting international
attention, stressing that the state was already negotiating an
agreement with African Nature Investment for a 30-year lease
agreement of the park.
He told the American investment group that the Park is the
largest in Africa and is available for investment.
He extended the invitation of the State Government to the group
to visit Taraba State soon to learn more about the state
Earlier, each member of the group had briefed the Governor on
their expertise and experience in investment promotion and assured
him of their determination to work with the government to quicken
the pace of development in Taraba State.
The group is to develop a proposal based on the discussion and
agreed areas of collaboration for the Governor to study and approve
for onward partnership.