NEPC to Collaborate with Jigawa State on non-oil exports

The Executive Director/CEO of NEPC, Nonye Ayeni, paid a working visit to His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, M. Umar Namadi in Dutse, Jigawa state. She spoke extensively on the plans by the Council to reposition the non-oil export sector for sustainable growth.

While commending the Governor for the laudable initiative and progress recorded since he assumed office, Ayeni  said the NEPC was committed and resolute in harnessing the huge opportunities in the state especially in the agricultural sector through collaboration to increase the volume and value of exportable products from the state.

In this wise, she said the NEPC working with the State Government is willing to set up processing centres for Sesame seed, Gum Arabic, and Hibiscus, among others.

However, Ayeni stated that there was a need to enhance the production capacity of these commodities by establishing aggregation centres with a view to making the state an export hub for agro commodities. She further spoke on the need for value addition in order to attract premium price in the international market. She reiterated the need for exporting companies to adhere to requisite international standards and quality to reduce incidences of export reject for Made-in-Nigeria products.

Responding, the Governor commended the ED/CEO for her interest in the state and passion to reposition the sector for sustainable economic growth.

He assured the ED/CEO of the State Government’s support towards enhancing export trade given that the State contributes about 75% to the development and promotion of non-oil export trade in Nigeria. This, he pointed out, can be gleaned from the position of the state as the number 1 producer of Sesame seed, Hibiscus, Gum arabic, and Wheat.

The Governor disclosed that the state presently has a comprehensive database for farmers while the state has partnered with the private sector to provide a processing centre for Hibiscus with a view to ensuring that the commodity meets the requisite standards and quality for export in the global market.

The ED/CEO was accompanied by the Director, Product Development, Mrs. Evelyn Obidike, Director, Policy & Strategy, Lawal Shehu Dalhat among others while the Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Aminu Usman, the Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Bala Ibrahim and the Chief of Staff to Governor, Alhaji Mustapha Makama Kiyawa among others were among the dignitaries that graced the occasion.