Katsina Govt Leases Shonghai Farm To Dangote For N500m

The Katsina State government has signed an agreement leasing out its Shonghai farm project to Dangote Group for a period of ten years at the cost of N500m.

This was contained in a statement signed by Ibrahim Abdullah, the Director General of Katsina Media and Publicity, in the state capital on Thursday.

The lease agreement was formerly signed by Governor Aminu Bello Masari and the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, at the Government House in Katsina.

While signing the agreement, Masari explained that the contract also covers 10,000 hectares of farmland around Zobe dam in Dutsinma Local Government Area of the state.

He noted that the move was aimed at reviving the company to make it an employer of labour in the state.

Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to Governor on investment, Alhaji Ibrahim Tukur Jikamshi said Dangote group will also use Shonghai farm as a research institute that will provide extension services to farmers as well as facilitate the provision of research activities

In his remarks, Dangote said the Shonghai project will be utilised for job creation for farmers and other enterpreneurs that feed on the value chain of tomato and other farm produce.

Abdullah explained that the Shonghai farm project was conceptualized by Katsina State government in 2013, and after years of neglect was resuscitated by the Masari administration.