From Desmond Mgboh, Kano
The Kano State government Wednesday signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth $10 billion with 10 foreign and local investors as part of the outcome of the Kano State Economic and Investment Summit currently ongoing in the state.
The investors included Milestone International Company Ltd, Quinduo, Arewa Solar PV Synergy Limited, Broad Based Nigeria Limited, Eighteen Engineering Company, Multivison Nigeria Limited, Shara Dukiya Nigeria Limited, Dangote Rice Limited and Quidao St Meer Solar Energy.
Speaking at the event, Kano State Governor, Dr. Abdullai Umar Ganduje, stated that his administration plans to make Kano not just a mega city, but another Dubai, since it has the intellect to replicate Dubai experiment in the state.
“Kano used to be a big city, but we want it to become a mega city, a place where things are working, where services are working, where electricity is available without interruption and is adequate for industries and for private consumption,” he stated.
“When we are talking of Kano being a commercial city historically, by the construction of Kanawa International City, which will be the largest market in West Africa, we are confirming a history of over 1,000 years ago.”
While recognising electricity as a challenge that had led to the collapse of industries in the state, he said the state was ready to tackle the challenge, which is the reason they invited three investors to invest in solar energy in the state.
He said the Kano Economic and Investment Summit would be an annual event, adding that next year’s forum would afford the state the opportunity to assess how far the 10 investors and the rest of the investors in the state had gone in achieving the goals.