UK to partner Nasarawa on mining, agriculture development

The United Kingdom (UK) has announced plans to partner with the Nasarawa government in mining, agriculture, education and infrastructure to enhance economic development in the state. 

Cariona Laing, British high commissioner to Nigeria, said this during a visit to Abdullahi Sule, governor ofNasarawa state, on Wednesday.

Laing said the practical results of Sule’s policies and vision prompted her visit to the state.

“I am here to see for myself the determination and innovative projects going on for the benefit of the citizens of Nasarawa state,” she said.

“Getting in place the rightful enabling environment and how quickly Nasarawa jumped through the ranks to number three in investment flow in the country is quite amazing.

“Nasarawa state has a very unique comparative advantage with its proximity to the Federal Capital Territory Abuja. We have expertise in mining, and we will partner with you to develop the sector.

“Because of the rich mineral potentials in Nasarawa State, the British government will partner the state to develop several sectors in order to improve the living conditions of people of the state.”

In his remarks, Sule said his administration is committed to transforming the economy of the state, creating wealth and job opportunities for its people.

He said the state’s public-private partnership forum has been a veritable tool to foster private sector investment in Nasarawa.

“The state secured radical projects in education, transportation, health, mining and agriculture.

“We have established the Nasarawa State Infrastructural Fund where 5% of our Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) would be dedicated mainly for infrastructural development.

“We have also exhibited necessary steps, including working with a UK consortium to prepare a detailed feasibility study to meet with the requirements of the African Development Bank on special agro-industrial processing zones which we are developing in Karu Local Government Area of the state, close to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),” Sule added.