Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, has described the programmes and policies of his administration as geared towards making Kogi, Nigeria’s economic hub. He stressed that his arms were open to investors – foreign or local willing to partner with him in achieving this objective.
Bello was speaking at the agreement signing ceremony between Kogi State Government and Juma International LLC, a USA-based leading company in agricultural and agro-allied technologies at the State’s laison office, Abuja.
The agreement for $1 billion investment in agro-allied technology and clean water solutions would be executed in conjunction with the company’s local partner, Resources Crest Limited and is projected to create over 15,000 jobs in the state.
The managing director/chief executive officer of Juma International, Mr Nelson Smith, said the company was investing in Kogi with five components of economic prosperity and empowerment, including financing and science. The other components include: proficiency and efficiency, social responsibility and hedging.
Also present at the signing ceremony, the managing director/chief executive officer of Resource Crest Limited, Chief Austin Arah stated that Juma International, working with its financial partners, Hardy Capital Corp has capacity and would be interested in investing $1 billion per state in the country.
Arah noted that Juma also has expertise in clean and sanitation solutions.
The general counsel to Juma, Mr Emma Dibia, described the project as timely and pertinent as it aligns with the green alternative of the present administration.
“There cannot be a better time than now for Nigeria to encourage this type of foreign development Investment, FDI given the present stiffness in the global economy and the Naira being in all time low situation,” he added and encouraged other states of the federation to embrace the programme.
