Sokoto State’s 15,000 metric tonnes new organic fertiliser plant will begin production in December, officials overseeing the establishment of the factory have said.

Already, the State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to formalise documentation of its stake in the company.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs, Malam Imam Imam, and issued to newsmen in Sokoto, on Wednesday.

Imam said the government will have forty per cent shares, while IML Ltd, a consortium of private local investors, will hold the remaining sixty per cent equity stake in the company.

The statement quoted the Managing Director of Sokoto Investment Company, Alhaji Aliyu Bala, as saying, ”already, construction of the plant has been completed while finishing touches are being put on auxiliary structures that will support the main plant.

“Signing of the MoU is an important step in realising the objectives of setting up of the plant.

”The State Executive Council recently gave approval for us to acquire equity share in the company.

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”We will hold same in trust on behalf of the people of Sokoto State. Today’s event is in keeping with that mandate.

“When fully on stream, this factory will create direct and indirect jobs to almost 20,000 people.

”It will provide job opportunities to both skilled and unskilled professionals, thereby reducing unemployment in the state.”

According to him, the government opted for a Public Private Partnership (PPP), model in order to ensure sustainability of the project, and at the same time allow private investors to complement state efforts.

Bala added that, ”more investment opportunities are being explored by the state government. Local and foreign investors have shown interest in investing in various sectors of the state.

While Alhaji Bilya Sanda signed the MoU on behalf of IML Ltd, both the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Bashir Garba and the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Suleiman Usman, signed on behalf of the state government. (NAN)