Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has called on investors in the United States and other part of the world to explore opportunities available in the state in the areas of agriculture, solid mineral infrastructure, sports and tourism.

Governor Sani Bello stated this at Niger State Business Roundtable organised by African Caribbean Business Council ofGreater Philadelphia (ACDBC) in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America.

Sani Bello said that his desire and determination was to make Niger state a hub for both local and international investors in the areas of agricultural value-chain, infrastructure, solid mineralstourism and sports through linkages and establishment of enabling environment, instituting credible, transparent and proactive governance structure.

He said: “Niger State is a bundle of opportunities and fertile ground for any investor. We are strategically located close to the capital city, Abuja. We have largest land mass in Nigeria – fertile, uncultivated and ready for use for large mechanised farming. We have solid minerals. We have a youthful population and peaceful environment. We have an international airport. We are linked by railway to theseaport.

“Above all, we are building a governance structure that engenders good governance, transparency, accountability and investor-friendly environment.”

The Governor, who said that he was determined to make Niger State an international player in the export of Shea butter, revealedthat the state is working towards establishing export produce-conditioning centres to meet international standards.

He words: “We are here to have firm discussion with Pennsylvania in the area of trade, agriculture, solid minerals, sports and tourism.We need technical support on how we can develop our economy. It is very comforting to know that Pennsylvania is the sixthlargest economy in United States and 18^thlargesteconomy in the world. I believe a strong partnership between Niger state, Nigeria and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will go a long way towards improving the economy of the two states.

“We want the partnership to cover the entire value-chain: Production, processing, storage and marketing. We want improved yield and new technological that would increase yield per acre; we want mills for processing; we want storage facilities; we want ready market for the finished produce.”

Earlier in his remarks, Lt Governor Michael Stack 111 described the state of Pennsylvania as an agrarian state and indicated willingness to collaborate with NigerState towards boosting commercial agriculture. He promised to facilitate investment in mechanised farming that would revolutioniseNiger State agriculture through low-interest bank loan.

On Governor Sani Bello’sdelegation were Niger State House of Assembly,Member Representing Bida 11 and Chairman House Committee on Works, Hon. Mohammed Alhaji Haruna;Chief of Staff, Hon Mikhail Al-Amin Bmitosahi; Commissioner for Investment, Hajiya Ramatu Yar’Adua;Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Ibrahim Balarabe; and Commissioner for Justice, Bar Nasara Danmallam.