Recently Kogi State has been in the news for good as it has become an investment destination. On daily basis the State keeps signing memorandum of understanding with foreign investors.
Micheal Abu, Chief Press Secretary to Kogi State Deputy Governor, writes on the opportunities that abound the state and why the state is now an investor’s bride.
Created twenty two years ago out of former Benue and Kwara State, Kogi State has now earned the appellation as the confluence of resources following the boundless of investment opportunities that abound the state under the present administration.
Kogi State is no doubt strategically situated in the North Central State of Nigeria.
It has the advantage of being bordered by 9 States and serves as a gateway between the North and South and about 100 kilometers to the South West of Abuja, the Federal Capital.
With a population of about 3.9 million people, the state covers a land mass of 30,354.74 square kilometers.
Presently, the State has an economy that is expanding quickly and seems to have gained prominence in the eyes of investors under Capt. Idris Wada’s leadership and Yomi Awoniyi his Deputy.
The sincerity with which governance is now run in the State now no doubt what makes it an investor’s delight and destination.
The interest about Kogi State now becoming a haven for investors is occasioned by the Transformation Agenda policy of the men at the helm of affairs in the State.
With a unique features of having the River Niger and Benue two of Africa’s big rivers, the State is richly endowed with a variety of Minerals, Agricultural, Water and human resources, little wonder the State has been christened in the country as the Confluence of Resources.
These resources which are investors attraction and a pull for an ideal corridor in Nigeria is been galvanized by the sincerity of purpose displayed by the States present leadership.
With a youthful population of about 54 percent, one reason that has made Agriculture to thrive in the State.
Captain Idris Wada on assumption of office took the unique advantage the State possesses as the leading grower of cassava and cashew, a front line producer of rice, sugarcane and an emerging developer of cotton and cocoa to position the state for investors.
The State is presently selected as one of the two States designated as staple crop processing zone for the processing of cassava in Nigeria, thus making it an investor destination in the establishment of starch and food sweetener factories in the State.
Two other companies have also commenced preliminary investment operations in the establishment of sugar factories.
There is no doubt that the enabling investment environment Captain Idris Wada has created, has helped increased the wave of interest in Agro-Allied Industries in the State; a manifestation of the priority the administration places on Agriculture.
This government has done because of its believe that it is a veritable vehicle for driving growth and development.
Expectedly a total foreign investment in Agriculture in the State under Captain Idris Wada for the next two years is estimated at about $950m. This of course is certainly a giant leap in the socio- economic development of the state.
Kogi State remains among the best endowed in Nigeria in terms of Solid Minerals, which abound in varieties and in commercial quantities. With a clear and unambiguous focus, the present administration of Capt Wada towards improving its economic base and creating employment is looking ahead of where the State ought to be.
Having developed a governance road map that has attracted World attention by the Wada’s administration,his interest for the Federal Government to resuscitate the many concentration and location of many high capacity Solid Minerals Federal Industries in the State is a step in the right direction.
The dogged determination coupled with the political will shown towards the resuscitation of these industries by the Governor is another plus beckoning on investors.
The states tourist resources which include natural and historical tourist features, another attraction provides a scenic perspective of the State Capital. One must commend the enabling security and environmental environment made possible by the present administration in the State which has earned investors confidence.
A State in the centre of Nigeria,certainly it is a great resource for investment and considered handy for supply chain management, distribution network, truck parks, inland shipment, warehousing services, hospitality facilities and road transportation.
A great attraction for investment, the State remains one in which industries that require large volume of water for processing and beneficiation can be easily accessed from the Rivers Niger or Benue.
Similarly, the rich Fadama land around the Rivers in the state is another great resource for the planting and the nursing of ornamental plants and for all year production of desired crops, particularly vegetables.
The location of the largest cement plant in Africa Dangote Cement, owned by the current richest African by the rating of Forbes, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, is an indication based on pure business decision that businesses can thrive in the State.
Similarly, the efforts by Captain Wada to ensure that the Ajaokuta Steel Company and the Itakpe Iron Ore Mining Company operates at full capacity makes the state a haven for investors.
Kogi State is not only rich in resources it provides a very friendly climate for business.
The repositioning of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to respond to inquiries, provide resource data and conduct investment tours for prospective investors in the State offers maximum support to investors through the provision of fast access to land and land titles.
Others are tax incentives, infrastructural support and business liaison services which no doubt makes Kogi State an attractive investors destination where investors can’t say no.
