Investments: Kebbi attract 22 private sector commitments – Investment agency
Omeiza Bilal
The Director General, Kebbi Investment Promotion Agency (KIPA), Dr. Mohamed Kabir Kamba, has disclosed that a total of 22 prospective investors have indicated interest to invest in various sectors of the economy.
Dr. Kambar, who made the disclosure during a high-level stakeholder engagement with private sector operators, investors, and development partners, said already, there is significant investment commitments in agriculture energy sector.
He said, “But we are happy that the investors have made significant commitments to invest in Kebbi State, particularly in the area of energy and agriculture.
And this is a pre-summit event, so we could engage these investors and be sure that we reach financial close by February 11th next year.
While pointing out that the state can play a critical role in helping Nigeria achieve its objectives, the KIPA DG assured that issues of insecurity which is a national challenge is not enough to deter investors from doing business in the state.
“I think insecurity is not a challenge as far as we are concerned. And in Kebbi State, we have some of the biggest companies on the continent of West Africa and they are successful.
“So, you can talk to many investors, they tell you Kebbi is a goldmine. So, security issues, yes, we have challenges, but it is not enough to stop our economic prosperity.
He assured prospective investors of a conducive business environment that enables businesses to thrive.
“Our key selling point is our regulatory environment. We have a robust regulatory environment, policy, frameworks. And we have a team that has a high capacity to manage investments in Kebbi State,” Dr. Kambar added.
On his part, MD/CEO of Karlot Energy Ltd, said, Engr Lawrence Osakue, said it would deploy mini-grids to various communities to provide cheap and sustainable energy for the communities, citing the relative peace in the state was a pull factor.
According to Engr. Osakue, the company is waiting for approval from “so that we can be able to access the VEDA site. Once we are able to access the VEDA, that will help us to do all our energy audit assessments, profiling of the communities, and also the industrial hub.”
Fielding questions from journalists, CEO and founder of FusedVision Limited, Michael Oladeji, said the company would bring its expertise to bare especially in the energy and agricultural sector. According to him, the company will focus on solar energy. “And we all know that where there is power, where there is energy, there is investment. We see Kebbi State as a land of opportunity, potential, and especially in areas of energy, agriculture, and some other kinds of infrastructure development.” He added.
Also speaking, a board member in the Kebbi State Investment Promotion Agency, Ali Abbas Usman, said the State is in talks with a group of investors to establish a Gold Refinery in the State that will serve as a refining hub for West Africa.
As talk to you, a group from Dubai contacted us. They want to come and establish a gold refinery in Sokoto-Kebbi Basin in order to be able to harness the gold there, to bring the gold from Niger, from Burkina Faso, from Mali, then refine it in Sokoto-Kebbi Basin. And you know investing in Kebbi is one of the most powerful weapons to neutralise banditry, to neutralise disorder, as you find because many of the younger people who are involved in this kind of things is due to hunger, joblessness, and all this kind of things.
