The Niger State government has promised to update the commodity laws on exportable product saying, that it will prohibit uncleaned sesame seeds from being transported out of the State.
Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello disclosed this while commissioning the pilot Multi-purpose commodity cleaning centre for exportation .
The event which took place in Minna, was a partnership project between the state government and Mr.Sheriff Balogun, the President of the National Sesame Seed Association of Nigeria.
According to the Governor, “As a further measure, we are working on updating the commodity laws on exportable products such as sesame, that will prohibit uncleaned sesame seeds from being transported out of the State.
” When the laws are in place, only cleaned and packaged sesame seeds will be allowed to be transported out of Niger State”.
He said more export-focused initiatives such as inputs distribution among others, geared towards capacity building, farmers, entrepreneurs and exporters empowerment to boost production of exportable commodities will be rolled out.
Governor Sani Bello who expressed delight over the project said the centre will consolidate on the investment drive of his administration over the years.
He said the facility would be replicated in every geopolitical zone of the state where crops such as Sesame seeds and soybeans are produced adding that it will ensure that raw commodity output is cleaned and packaged to retain the value chain within the state.
“We are partnering a private sector to establish a large modern Standard aggregation, packaging and cleaning centers across the state.
“Modalities are being put in place for ease of accessing international certifications to facilitate access at the global market.
In this way all the inspections, testing and documentations will be carried out within the State for seamless delivery out of the country, there will be no need for additional inspections at the ports”.
He said his administration will continue to take advantage of the natural endowments in the areas of agriculture and solid mineral for export and provide the needed support to increase farmers yields for investors to get competitive returns on their investments.
The Governor commended the efforts of the state Ministries of Investment and Agriculture as well as the Niger State Commodity and Export Promotion Agency for the successes recorded in the commodities promotion for non-oil earnings.
The Governor appreciated the project partner Mr Sheriff Balogun, the President of the National Sesame Seed Association of Nigeria and all those who contributed to the establishment of the pilot facility.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry, Rahmatu Yar’adua explained that the centre has been granted and certified by relevant authorities after meeting the requirements.
Hajiya Yar’addua said the facility has been equipped with a multi-purpose cleaning machine that would enable export-focused commodities such as sesame seeds, soybeans and sorghum among others that are aggregated, cleaned and packaged for export.
She said the centre will be operated an managed by a private sector partner Dr. Jamilu Goma, Chief Executive Officer of JM Goma International, while the state Commodity and Export Promotion Agency will carryout supervisory oversight to ensure sustainability.
While appreciating the Governor for all his support, the Commissioner disclosed that sesame seed, ginger and shea butter have been locally sourced, packaged and are ready for export.
Also, the Director General, Niger State Commodity and Export Promotion, Hajiya Fatima Wushishi, said the establishment of the centre will provide employment opportunities for about 20 women and youths, adding that it will also afford their entrepreneurs a platform to showcase some of their finished products in the cosmetics and food sector promising to work closely with the operator of the centre to ensure success.
In their separate good will messages, the National President, Association of Shea producers in Nigeria, Mohammed Ahmed, Board Chairman, Nigerian Export Promotion Council, Ibrahim Musa and Hajiya Ladi Shambo a renound entrepreneur all applauded the project and assured of their contributions to the growth of the facility.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello thereafter inspected the centre.
