The Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, has said an enabling environment is being provided to woo investors into the agriculture, solid minerals, trade, and commerce sectors of the economy to boost employment and internally generated revenue (IGR).

Wali spoke on Tuesday in Damaturu, briefing a team of journalists on Governor Mai Mala Buni’s performance over the last six years in wooing investors to the critical sectors of the state’s local economy.

The SSG said: “In our increased efforts to boost commerce and promote industrialisation, we reactivated the Sahel Aluminum Company, Yobe Flour and Feed Mills, and the Pre-stressed Concrete Poles Firm (PCPF).

“The state government has also completed the Ibrahim Geidam Ultra-Modern Market (IGUM), Damaturu, Senator Ahmed Lawan modern market, Gashua and the Sheikh Ngibirima Ultra-Modern Market (SNUM), Nguru.

“Other completed projects to attract investors included the modern markets at Potiskum, Ngalda, Machina, Yunusari, Buni-Yadi,” stating that the construction works are ongoing at the Geidam ultra-modern market, a border community with Niger Republic.”

The SSG further revealed: “The construction of the Potiskum Truck Transit Park (PTTP) and a mega shopping mall in Damaturu are ongoing.

“This is in recognition that the state is the largest producer of high-quality sesame seeds, with four processing factories sited in Damaturu, Potiskum, Nguru and Machina, a border community with Niger.”

In furtherance of boosting trade and commerce, Wali added: “To woo more investors into the industrial and agricultural sectors of the economy, the state government has constituted the Ease of Doing Business Council (EDBC) under the Chairmanship of His Excellency, the Executive Governor.” He explained that this will enable investors to have direct access to information on the state government’s economic reforms and potential through the website.

Meanwhile, the ongoing construction of the Damaturu City Mall has reached 70 per cent and is expected to be commissioned by March this year.

He noted that the investors wooing initiatives are geared toward boosting commercial activities in the state with increased investment in the agriculture, solid minerals, commerce and trade sectors of the state’s economy.