TheCable

The Kaduna Investment Promotion Agency (KADIPA) says its mission is to turn the state into a world-class investment spot.

Khalil Nur Khalil, the agency’s executive secretary, said this on Thursday while speaking on the achievements of KADIPA within the past year.

According to him, the agency was able to facilitate investments worth over $1.6 billion, as well as contributed to generating revenue worth $1.1 million.

“Our efforts have been fruitful. In the past year alone, we facilitated investments both actualised and pledged worth over $1.6 billion and we handed over sites to 35 investors and counting in Kubau LGA, the Kangimi Layout, GAAIZ/SAPZ, Rabah Link Road and the Afaka layout of which some have mobilised to site,” he said.

“We also commissioned two companies earlier in the year, one with the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which was the Barbados Fertilizer Blending Plant, and the other that was commissioned by his excellency, the governor, which was AMA Pharmaceuticals.

“We have also reshuffled the staff in the agency and currently not only have the youngest chief executive of a government parastatal, but also the youngest director in the country as approved by the KADIPA board. Our board consists of nine out 12 board members that are women and 40% of our agency staff strength are women.

“Furthermore, KADIPA in one year has assisted the state in generating revenues of about N800 million ($1.1 million) through payments of premiums by greenfield investors that have been allocated land and brownfield investments via payments received from the privatisation of state-owned assets with 24,380 proposed jobs to be created.”

According to Khalil, Kaduna’s foreign investment has grown because the agency has been “deliberate and strategic”.

The KADIPA executive secretary also spoke on the recently-concluded Kaduna investment summit (KADINVEST 7.0), adding that it showcased the state’s “internationally acclaimed innovative business environment”.

“Between 2016 and today, because of KADINVEST and the investment promotion drive by KADIPA, Kaduna has attracted investments worth over $4.4 billion, with notable names including Africa Natural Resources and Mines Limited, Tomato Jos, Olam, Mahindra, OCP Africa’s Ultra-modern Fertilizer blending plant, Dangote Peugeot, Zipline and many more,” he added.