Tambuwal asks British investors to take advantage of Sokoto's extractive industries

GOVERNOR Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has appealed to UK investors to consider investing on the state's extractive industries because the sector offers immense opportunities with a decent rate of return.

Like most of Nigeria's 36 states, Sokoto sits on untapped mineral resources but due to the lack of an industrial programme the sector has remained untapped.  Speaking in Sokoto yesterday while receiving Catriona Laing, the British high commissioner to Nigeria who paid him a courtesy visit, Governor Tambuwal said his administration hopes to turn this round.

Governor Tambuwal expressed optimism that the partnership between UK and Sokoto State would go a long way in extracting all the reserves the state is endowed with. He, therefore, stressed the need for more engagement between the state government and the British government for the attainment of these set objectives.

Furthermore, the governor also assured the envoy that the state government is making continuous efforts towards maintaining security in the state. He added that he hoped that the British government would continue to support the federal government to ensure adequate security across the country.

Already the Sokoto State government is negotiating a contract with a set of British investors to open a shoemaking factory in the state. Welcoming the development, Ms Laing described Sokoto Stare  as an important partner to the UK.

She said she was in the state to deepen and strengthen the strong British-Nigeria relationship. Ms Catriona added that ties between the two countries would be further strengthened especially in the areas of economy and security.