Kano inaugurates 5-man investment promotion agency

Kano State government has inaugurated a five-man Investment Promotion Agency, chaired by a Kano-based industrialist and community leader, Isyaku Umar Tofa.

Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, who inaugurated the agency at Kano State Government House, said the state required new investment to survive the current financial difficulties it was confronting.

Other members of the Agency include, Bashir Borodo, immediate past president of MAN, Rabi’u Isyaku Rabi’u, Mansur Ahmed, while Lawal Alhassan is to serve as director-general.

Performing the function, the governor said due to dwindling oil prices and the fall of revenue accruable to all levels of government, it had become necessary for the government to look inwards to enable it function efficiently.

Pointing out that gone are the days when government was financially viable and strong enough to give out loans, the governor said that his administration was determined to attract Direct Foreign Investment (DFI).

He also said the state would create enabling environment for local investors to come to the state and take advantage of its vast human and material resources for mutual benefit.

“Areas of possible investment should explore include the abandoned Kanawa market, the issue of light rail because Kano is now a mega city, as well as the issue of Halal abattoir. All these are viable and tied to our high population,” Governor Ganduje stressed.

The governor asserted that part of the government’s strategies to facilitate investment in the state include the proposed Lagos- Kano Investment Summit for which technical committees would soon be set up.

“We produce food and other agricultural products while Lagos is largely a consumer society. Both of the states have mega cities. So we can work together to improve our economies and create wealth for our people” he stated.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the agency, Isyaku Umar Tofa, who was represented by Bashir Borodo promised to serve with diligence, requesting the government to give the necessary support to succeed.