The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working collaboratively with state governments and the private sector to expand investment in agriculture and attain self-sufficiency in food production.
The minister made this known on Tuesday during an inspection visit to a state-of-the-art Tilapia Fish Farm operated by Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited in New Bussa, as well as the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone in Amfani, Magama Local Government Area of Niger State.
He was accompanied by the Minister of State for Industry, Senator John Owan Enoh; the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Ambassador Nura Rimi; and a representative of the Managing Director of the Bank of Industry, Ugochukwu Akagaogu.
Idris described the establishment of the Federal Ministries of Marine and Blue Economy and Livestock Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as visionary measures aimed at strengthening the regulatory framework for private sector participation and curbing the importation of fish and dairy products.
“Since the assumption of office by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he has taken deliberate steps, including the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, which oversees over 800 kilometres of coastline and inland waterways suitable for aquaculture. Coupled with the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development, it is evident that the President recognises food security as key to national sovereignty,”; the minister stated.
He commended the efforts of Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited and the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone, noting that their success illustrates the immense potential of collaboration between the Federal Government, sub-national entities, and the private sector in advancing Nigeria’s food security objectives.
Idris further echoed President Tinubu’s recent pledge in Brazil to dismantle bureaucratic barriers hindering the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
He praised Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited for its investment in the hatching and rearing of Tilapia, one of Nigeria’s most widely consumed fish species, which is currently imported in large volumes. He noted that the venture would reduce fish importation, generate both direct and indirect employment, and offer sustainable solutions to youth unemployment.
“We have been informed that current production stands at 1,000 metric tonnes, with plans to double this to 2,000 metric tonnes by the end of the year, and to scale up to 5,000 metric tonnes within four years,”; he said.
During a tour of the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone, the Minister expressed admiration for the scope and ambition of the project, calling on both local and international investors to take advantage of the infrastructure under development.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of State for Industry, Senator Enoh, praised the promoters of both projects, describing them as aligned with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“A lot of incredible effort has been put by the managements of the Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited as well as the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone and I think government has to be commended first, for finding it proper to grant the licenses for the Free Trade Zone and therefore, I think that the only way we can achieve Mr. President’s objectives and goals in terms of industrialization, is with the effort of private investors,”; he said.
He stressed that expanding domestic production and processing will reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imports and help conserve foreign exchange. He added that the Bank of Industry was established to support such industrial endeavours, hence the presence of the Bank’s representative during the visit.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the Hydropolis Free Trade Zone, Dr Abdulmalik Ndagi, explained that the Zone is designed to provide industrial, residential, and commercial infrastructure to attract and retain investors in Nigeria.
He listed infrastructure currently under development to include two power substations, recreational facilities around the lake, a golf course, polo field, racetrack, airport, train station, university, world-class hospitals, and more.
Dr Ndagi disclosed that approximately N30 billion has already been invested in the Free Trade Zone, and appealed to the Bank of Industry for a N10 billion intervention facility to accelerate subsequent project phases.
Similarly, the Managing Director of Kainji Aquaculture Resources Limited, Mr Sa’adu Baloni, stated that the company is committed to enhancing the social and economic well-being of both the host community and the nation.
He revealed that the company has made significant investment in the fish farm and expressed hope for support from the Bank of Industry to enable a scale-up in production.
