Kaduna State to get $25m agricultural industrial park as IFC signs Abia economic city project

The Tamaidukka Group (also known as TMDK Industries) with bias for estate development, oil and gas is to develop a $25 million agro-based industrial park in Kaduna State.

The facility is to make use of soya beans and cottonseeds for production of vegetable oils for local, industrial and export purposes.

The company’s chairman, Ahmed Suleiman Leda, said the plant upon completion would produce 500 tons of soya beans and cotton daily, as well as 280 tons of animal feeds for same period.

He stated that the project would create 1000 jobs and market for farmers.

Leda said: “This move alone will create up to 500 jobs directly and another 500 indirectly, and it will guarantee a reliable market to 1000 farmers in Kaduna and neighbouring states.”

The chairman noted that the choice of Kaduna was informed by the effort of the Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai administration to industrialise the state and make it an investor’s haven.

The park, sited at Rigachikum town in Igabi Local Council of the state, is to be operational by January 2020.

The state government, through its Investment and Promotions Agency (KADIPA); Urban Planning Development Agency (KASUPDA); and Environmental Protection Agency (KEPA), had approved the project.

The location, measuring about 100,000 square metres, was on June12, 2019 handed over to the company, which has since mobilised workers to site.

In a related development, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has undertaken to market the Abia State Enyimba Economic City project to the global community.

The multi-billion Naira project is to generate 700,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Onyebuchi Ememanka, dropped the hint in a statement in Umuahia.

He said the move followed the agreement entered into last week by the investment arm of the World Bank Group with authorities of the Enyimba Economic City.

The media aide added that the Company Secretary/Legal Adviser to the project, Chibuzo Chiemela Ekwekwuo, had confirmed the pact.

He stated:  “The IFC is the investment arm of the World Bank Group which has over 60 years experience in unlocking private investments, create markets and opportunities where they are needed most. It has leveraged over $2.6 billion to deliver more than $285 billion in business financing in developing countries.”