A delegation of Yobe government officials led by Baba Wali, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), is in Morocco to explore partnerships in fertiliser production and other critical sectors.

This is contained in a statement on Thursday by Mamman Mohammed, Governor Mai Mala Buni’s media aide.

He said the visit to the North African country was part of efforts by the state government to resuscitate its fertiliser blending plant in Gujba Local Government Area.

Mr Mohammed said the delegation had visited the OCP/Jorf Lasfar fertiliser complex in Morocco and was conducted around the facility by its spokesperson, Amine Jamaleddine.

“The OCP/Jorf Lasfar fertiliser complex is the biggest fertiliser company in the world with an all-year-round production capacity of 15 million tones of fertiliser annually.

“The complex has about 20,000 staff, with the company producing fertiliser supplying all parts of the World,” Mr Jamaleddine said.

In his remarks, Mr Wali expressed satisfaction with the commitment of the factory and its consultants to partner the state in resuscitating the fertiliser blending plant in Gujba.

“Governor Buni’s administration has a strong commitment to revive the factory to meet the fertiliser needs of farmers in the state, generate employment and export to improve revenue of the state,” the SSG said.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Mustapha Goniri, said the resuscitation of the fertiliser blending plant in Gujba would support the Buni-led administration’s agricultural revolution.

“Last year, the state government launched a massive agricultural empowerment programme with 100 tractors, solar pumps and irrigation facilities.

“Other farm inputs were also doled out like fertiliser, improved seeds, herbicides and pesticides, among others, and distributed to farmers free.

“Again, last month, an additional 40 tractors were procured by the state government to boost crop production to enhance food security and for exports to improve the revenue of the state,” he said.

Mr Mohammed said the consulting firm, the African Network Centre, had expressed optimism that the partnership would benefit Yobe and the Moroccan firm.

Mr Buni is expected to arrive in Morocco on Thursday to sign more partnerships in education and direct investments in local government areas, among others.

Other members of the delegation are Bello Kawuwa, Commissioner for Higher Education; Ibrahim Jajere, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs; and Bukar Adamu, chairman of Damaturu Local Government.

(NAN)