From Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor Mukhtar Ramalan Yero yesterday scored high the turnout of participants at the ongoing 35th Kaduna International Trade fair, attributing it to the level of peace and stability obtainable in the state.
Governor Yero who spoke in a ceremony to mark Kaduna state special day said, 2014 fair recorded high turnout of participants compared to the previous year’s fair.
Yero who was represented by the state Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Joshua Shekarau stated that the Government was investing heavily in creating a conducive environment by providing adequate security in order to ensure confidence for both Local and international investors to operate in the state.
According to him, “Also in line with our development agenda, we are focusing our attention on Infrastructural development, employment generation, wealth creation and poverty alleviation through promotion of strategic programmes under the commercial agriculture as well as Micro, Small and medium enterprises.
“Consequently, the state is deliberately building the policy framework on Investment, Commerce and Industry in collaboration with the DFID/GEMS3. The state has also earmarked substantial amount in
2014 budget to provide the necessary infrastructure towards the upgrading of Inland Containers dry port.
“We have already received several proposals from investors working to partner with us in running some of our Industries like Ikara food processing company, Kachia ginger industry and the Zaria
pharmaceuticals on Public Private Partnership (PPP). The privatization of the companies are still on and we hope to get the industries up and doing in the next few months,” Governor Yero stated.
