Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, has received a delegation of Chinese investors from the China Overseas Engineering Group Company, who have expressed interest in investing in key sectors of the state’s economy. The potential investment areas include agriculture, energy, and industrial development.
According to a press statement signed by the Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, the meeting, held at the Gombe Governor’s Lodge in Abuja, was attended by officials of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission.
Speaking during the meeting, COVEC expressed its intention to establish an integrated agricultural park in Gombe, with emphasis on large-scale mechanisation, agro-processing, livestock development, renewable energy, and export-oriented value chains.
The company plans to use advanced Chinese agricultural technologies and infrastructure to transform rural areas and promote sustainable development in the state.
Governor Yahaya assured the investors that Gombe is an ideal location for investment due to its strategic position, business-friendly policies, and plentiful natural resources.
“Gombe is a viable destination for investment, particularly in agriculture, commerce, and enterprise,” the governor stated. “We are ready to receive investors and offer all necessary incentives to encourage them.”
He informed the investors about existing projects and infrastructure designed to support such partnerships, including the 1,000-hectare Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park. The park is located near the Dadinkowa Dam, which features a 40-megawatt hydroelectric power plant.
Yahaya also highlighted other investment opportunities in the state, including the Wawa-Zange Grazing Reserve. He noted that this reserve, combined with the ongoing livestock development zone, positions Gombe as a key player in the livestock value chain.
The governor also pointed to the state’s strong water infrastructure, which includes three major dams: Dadinkowa, Balanga, and Cham.
He specifically mentioned the Balanga Dam, which has the capacity to irrigate more than 11,000 hectares of farmland, making it suitable for large-scale irrigation and commercial agriculture.
Also, in the area of solid minerals, the governor promoted the state’s wealth of natural resources, including large deposits of limestone, uranium, and other minerals. He explained that these resources present viable opportunities for industrial projects like cement manufacturing and mineral processing.
“We are fully prepared to partner with serious investors to harness our God-given resources for the benefit of our people and our economy,” Governor Yahaya stated.
The head of the COVEC delegation described the meeting as “insightful and strategic,” saying it provided his team with a clear understanding of Gombe State’s agricultural and industrial potential.
He added that the meeting had established the foundation for specific investment decisions in key sectors. The Chinese business delegation stated they would soon make a follow-up visit to Gombe State to prepare for full-scale investment operations.
The Director of Strategic Services at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Abubakar Yarima, observed that projects of such scale have the potential to attract significant foreign direct investment, generate thousands of jobs, and engage smallholder farmers across the agricultural value chain.
