R-L: Chairman/CEO of Prime Gold Fertilizer Company, Mr. Felix Okonti; Gov. Tambuwal and his deputy, Ahmed Aliyu

By Abdallah el-Kurebe

Sokoto state government is to partner with Prime Gold Fertiliser and Chemical Company, an indigenous firm based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State for the establishment of a new fertilizer plant in the state.

A statement issued by Tambuwal’s spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, said the Governor spoke shortly after a meeting with the management team of the company led by its, Chairman/CEO, Mr. Felix Okonti, in Sokoto.

According to the statement, while the state government would provide the needed incentives and all necessary legal frameworks, Prime Gold would provide the technical as well as operational wherewithal.

L-R: Gov. Tambuwal in hand shake with Chairman/CEO of Prime Gold Fertilizer and Chemical Company, Mr. Felix Okonti

While assuring that the company had made wise investment decision in view of the  abundant natural resources required for making fertilizer in the state, Tambuwal stressed that Sokoto had “comparative advantage with other states in terms of peace, abundant skilled and unskilled labour, hospitable environment and friendly populace.

“Importantly, there’s a huge market for the product in Sokoto and surrounding areas including Niger Republic.”

Earlier, Okonti observed that with the large deposits of primary natural substances derived from nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, Sokoto had enough deposits of raw materials needed for making fertilizer.

“When completed, the first phase of the plant will produce 100,000 metric tones of fertilizer and will provide direct job opportunities to 5,000 persons in addition to boosting the socio-economic activities of the state,” he said.