Lokoja.
The prayer of the citizens of kogi state that, the state which was created over 30 years ago will flourish with viable industries, will soon be answered.
This is because a United States-based, billion dollar company, SIVAD group, has hinted the state of its readiness to establish a world class pharmaceutical, agricultural and other allied industries in the confluence state.
The President/Chief Executive Officer of the company,Mr Lenzie Davis, gave the hint when he paid a courtesy visit on Governor Yahaya Bello at the Government House, Lokoja over the weekend.
He told the governor that the company had reached advanced stage to commence operation in couple of weeks.
Davis identified the state’s strategic location, security architecture among other factors as some of the factors responsible for its incorporation into the company’s investment plan.
The President/Chief Executive Officer of the company, who said that the company had been in Africa for three decades 30 years,expressed optimism that “this period would be different, owned to the energy, relationships and what he has been told about the governor’s leadership acumen.”
He added,“We are here to understudy how we could really help Kogi State and by extension,Nigeria develop its health, agriculture, technology sectors and as far as with developing vaccines, other type of medicine.”
Mr Davis also said that the company had a sickle cell rapid test to help monitor some of the sickle cell patients, save lives and offer more education on how to prevent the disease.
He also said that asides from its plan in the pharmaceuticals industry, SIVAD in the areas of agriculture, would also help develop new technologies for growing food, which could make Nigeria the leader in shipping food and other products throughout Africa.
“The goal is to work closely with some of the key people here, so as to put together a solid plan of execution based on some of our findings and which of our plans to prioritize,” he added.
Responding, the governor noted that Kogi state was on the part of development,noting that it continued to witness business interests from internationals.
Bello,who recalled that his administration met the state in shambles said he had made conspicuous effort to reverse the trend.
He noted that Nigeria remained the trigger point for Africa, adding that Kogi state sits confidently in the centre of the nation’s geography, and serves as a plan where things must happen before reflecting in other part of the country.
The governor,who assured investors of the openess and friendly disposition of the state and its people,urged them to feel at home, adding that many of the state officials were on ground to embrace and guide them on modes of operation.
He also promised that the state government would ensure that their personnel, investments and every other things were adequately secured.
Bello also promised to give them the necessary cooperation to ensure that their investment is safe, to further encourage other investors into the state
According to the governor, his government is doing its best possible in the health, education, agriculture sectors by putting in place the needed infrastructure.
Governor Bello, however, advised that despite their interest in profit-making, the investors should ensure that they give their host communities sense of ownership
He stressed that taking such step would make them the nexus between the state government and the united state business community.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
