…Inaugurates fertilizer production coy in Zungeru, township roads in Minna
The Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, has advocated a special funds to be created by state and federal governments to farmers in terms of land preparation, fertilizer among others.
The Governor made the call when he inaugurated the operation of Falcol Fertilizer in partnership with the state government situated at the Niger State Fertilizer Company, Zungeru.
Governor Sani Bello who observed that farming is expensive in terms of land preparation and purchase of fertilizers among other things said having a special funds to support farmers will improve the production of Agricultural products in Nigeria, thereby reducing the price of food stuffs.
He expressed delight that the fertilizer company has become operational after many years of having the structure without the machines to operate.
The Governor who thanked the management ofJ-Marine for agreeing to collaborate with the Niger State Government, urged them to consider the immediate farming community.
“I have made a request to the management of the company to sell atleast 10% of their Fertilizer to farmers in the local community at the cost price as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
“I also advised that they should have a sales shop outside the facility for farmers around the facility who will buy in small quantity as most of them are subsistence farmers”, he said.
He acknowledged that fertilizer is an important component in agricultural production and that the facility will no doubt add value to farmers.
While stressing the need for government to sustain support for Agriculture in the state, the Governor however expressed concern over the attitude of some politicians when it comes to subsidizing fertilizer to farmers.
“Fertilizer is a very important component in agricultural production unfortunately over the years I realized that whatever effort government makes to ease difficulty by providing Fertilizer at an affordable rate is being abused by some politicians because it’s a way of making money”, he decried.
The Marketing Manager of the Company Mr. Shola Thomas explained that the plant is producing 100 tons per day.
According to him, they were ready to do more to satisfy the farmers by putting in more fertilizers in the market and making Niger State a hub of agricultural investment.
He appreciated the Governor and the support of the state government which has made the partnership towork.
The Production Manager, Mustapha Anka, conducted the Governor round the facility.
The fertilizer plant was constructed in 1998, resuscitated in 2019 and started production in 2020 under a leasing arrangement of five years which is renewable.
Similarly, Sani Bello inaugurated some roads in Minna; a 3km Shango road network and 2.7km Maitumbi township road network to ease movement.
