Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Thursday, unveiled a new fertilizer blending plant to make the commodity readily available and affordable to farmers as the 2024 farming season begins.
The Governor also reiterated that his administration will continue to unlock the agricultural potential of the state by supporting agro-allied industries, which he said are crucial to the state’s socio-economic development.
The Governor stated this while performing the official commissioning of Al-Yuma Fertilizer and Chemical Company in Kwadon, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area.
He declared: “We will continue to unlock Gombe’s agricultural potential by supporting these industries,” highlighting the company’s role in creating jobs and providing essential farming inputs to boost food production and sufficiency.
Inuwa expressed his resolve to continue fostering a thriving agricultural sector in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, especially his determination to increase agricultural production to ensure sufficient food in the country and guarantee food security.
According to him, “Our government is 100% committed to developing agriculture, the state’s and nation’s largest employer. Since taking office in 2019, food security has been a major focus for us. We believe development hinges on it.”
The Governor maintained that Gombe’s vast arable land and large population are enough to facilitate food security, stressing that, “There’s no reason for Nigeria to rely on food imports when we have the resources to feed ourselves”.
Acknowledging the role of the private sector, Governor Inuwa said, “While job creation is primarily the responsibility of the private sector, the government’s role is to provide an enabling environment. We are therefore ready to support any entrepreneur who wants to establish a business in Gombe State.”
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He pointed to Gombe’s achievements of ranking top twice in ease of doing business and securing a triple-A ranking in socio-economic indices as a testament to his government’s commitment to creating a secure and friendly environment for businesses to thrive.
The Governor announced a shift in approach, discontinuing the distribution of food palliatives and instead, opting to provide fertilizer to encourage people to return to farming and address the economic challenges.
Governor Inuwa announced the purchase of 200,000 tons of fertilizer from the new company for distribution to Gombe farmers.
“We will buy fertilizer to support you if you’re ready to return to farming,” he affirmed.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Al-Yuma Fertilizer and Chemical Company, Alhaji Yusuf Ali Yusuf, represented by the Managing Director of the firm, Dr Faruk Hamza, said the siting of the plant in the state was informed by the enabling environment created by Governor Inuwa Yahaya and the effective policies and support from his government.
He lauded Governor Inuwa’s passion for agriculture, stating that his good policies inspired them.
“Your support has been instrumental in bringing this company to Gombe State and ultimately making the whole project a reality,” he said.
He explained that the company can produce 120,000 tons of different fertilizer blends per annum, saying, “We also produce soil-specific and crop-specific fertilizers.”
In his remarks, the Emir of Yamaltu, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Abubakar Aliyu, thanked Governor Inuwa for creating a peaceful and enabling environment for a business of this kind to be established.
“Although the owner is not from Gombe, he saw the opportunity to locate his company in Gombe because of the enabling environment created by the government. This is indeed commendable,” the Emir remarked.
He assured the government and the company of the cooperation of the host communities.
The new fertilizer blending plant has already provided more than 250 direct jobs and is poised to contribute to revenue and food security of Gombe State and the nation.
