Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has approved N73.8 million to reactivate the state’s own fertilizer blending plant in Gujiba, an action meant to improve the production of fertilizer for farmers across Yobe and beyond.
Speaking from the state capital of Damaturu, Barma Shettima, the commissioner for commerce, industry and tourism, disclosed that the approval followed the execution of a contract between the government and Basewatch Concept Nigeria Limited addressing the plant’s resuscitation.
In order to maintain the required amount of nutrients in soil to nourish crops and support their growth, the nutrients removed during cultivation must be replaced.
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The importance of fertilizer production and application cannot be over emphasized since without the addition of fertilizers, crop yields and agricultural productivity would be significantly reduced.
Shettima commended the governor for granting his approval and urged the contractor to speed up the work, pointing out that the plant’s revival will help create jobs for youths in the state and save the billions of naira expended on fertilizer importation annually.
“By keying into the initiative, the state stands to generate more revenue for development projects, the company is capable of producing fertilizer at affordable rate to meet the demands of our farmers and those in other states.
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“It will also enable the state to key into the Federal Government’s Presidential Fertilizer Initiative aimed at growing the economy through production of NPK 20-20 fertilizer using locally sourced materials,” Shettima said.
The Buni administration has been committed to resuscitating moribund companies across the state since the governor took office in 2019, with the fertilizer plant being the fourth such business restored.
The other three companies previously rejuvenated include a Damaturu woven sack and leather company, a Potiskum flour and feed mill company and a Potiskum aluminum company.
