Gombe moves to improve non-oil sector, seeks to export Cotton, Sesame, others
Gombe State Government has restated resolve to harness non oil sectors towards boosting her revenue.
Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, made this disclosure on Wednesday, in an interview with journalists, shortly after declaring open a two-day event for New Exporters Development Project (NEDP).
The training is organised in collaboration with Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), to create awareness about tapping the value chain.
Yahaya noted that the state has bountiful yield in sesame, cotton, adding that the needed foreign exchange would be earned by individuals, government both State and Federal.
Recall that earlier, the state government through the Commissioner for Finance Muhammad Magaji, appealed to southern states especially Rivers, Lagos to be their brothers keep by not tampering with the Value Added Tax currently in court.
According to the governor, “They deal on commodities like Sesame, Soya Beans, like cotton and many of them are not exposed to international trade. We realised that when we develop the value chain along production, processing and exporting we will improve on the economy not only of Gombe State.
“That is why we organised the seminar to enlighten them, to align them with the export promotion council so that they can know the processes involved, so that they can key in with a view to improving revenue which is oil dependent.”
Commenting on the relevance of the exportation of crops and the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, the governor said it would increase production and boost revenue of the state.
“That is the essence of setting up the industrial hub, it would engage the people (business men and women), to engage in production and processing so that the state will realise the potentials,” Yahaya said.
Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Trade and Investment Mohammed Aliyu, stated that the state would get the required foreign exchange which is targeted at improving revenue.
He revealed that out of over 50 companies that applied for support some have started benefitting, stressing that the state has been supporting farmers in order to encourage non oil sector.
Aliyu added, This will help greatly in foreign exchange earnings. To encourage non oil sector of the economy especially in this current challenges of Covid-19 and the current debate over VAT.
“It is worthy of note that Gombe State is blessed with fertile arable land that will promote the cultivation of both cash and food crops among them are Soya Beans, Groundnut, Sesame, cotton, hibiscus flower.”
On his part, Mustapha Umaru, head of Gombe field office who represented regional coordinator North East zone, urged business owners to take advantage of the opportunities offered by NEPC in order to boost revenue.
