Gombe State Government is to partner with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) on industrialization and economic diversification.
Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya who gave the hint on Wednesday when he received the UNIDO representative to ECOWAS and Country Director, Nigeria Regional Hub, Mr. Jean Bakole at the Government House Gombe, assured that his administration is partnering with the UNIDO to enable it benefit from part of the 60 million Dollars set aside by the UN agency to boost Nigeria’s industrialization.
He noted that the UNIDO/ Nigeria Industrialization programme document is in tune with his administration’s vision and economic diversification plan, especially with his determination to set up an industrial park in Dadinkowa as well as the efforts to revitalize the Balanga Dam.
He commended the organisation for its support towards achieving inclusive and sustainable industrial development, assuring that his administration will provide its counterpart funding in order to benefit from the UNIDO- Nigeria country industrialisation fund.
Governor Yahaya said his government has always paid attention to human capital development aside the provision of basic infrastructure, healthcare services, quality education and good governance aimed at improving the quality of life of the citizens.
He said due to bad governance in the past, he had to seek for both local and international partnership and intervention in order to galvanise forces and tackle the socio-economic challenges inherited by his administration.
Governor Yahaya also disclosed that with the available potentials in the state, partnering the UN agency will impact positively on the state, assuring that his Government will do everything possible to ensure the realization of the Balanga Dam in view of its strategic importance to the social and economic development of the state.
Earlier, the UNIDO Regional Director, MrJean Bakole, said the purpose of their visit was to seek ways of collaborating with Gombe state Government in domesticating the UNIDO/ Nigeria programme which included industrial policy, agro allied industry, special economic hubs,science, technology and innovation among others.
He said UNIDO is committing $60 million into agriculture and agro-based businesses, trade and capacity building, housing and construction, infrastructure development, energy and environment, among other sectors.
Mr. Bakoke said having visited Balanga Dam and seen the potentials, he is confident that if properly harnessed, the people will greatly benefit in terms of jobs and wealth creation.
He commended the Governor’s commitment to the well-being of the state, and assured of his agency’s readiness to support Gombe state’s industrialization drive and the Governor’s remarkable vision for the state.
