Denmark to support Plateau in reviving moribund industries

By YUSUFU IDEGU, Jos

The Government of Denmark is to go into collaboration with the Plateau State Government for the revival of two industries belonging to the state government.

Denmark Ambassador to Nigeria Jesper Kamp dropped the hint while playing host to Plateau state governor, Simon Bako Lalong at the Embassy in Abuja.

According to a statement issued on Thursday in Jos by the Director of Press to Gov Lalong, Dr. Simon Makut, the two companies on the list are the Jos International Breweries (JIB) and Brewery Agro and Research Company (BARC Farms) both located in Jos, the state capital.

The statement quoted Ambassador Lamp as saying: “My Mission will work to facilitate the interface between Plateau State and Danish investors who have a lot of experience in agriculture, Brewery and manufacturing among others.”

“He said since Danish investors were involved in setting up JIB and BARC Farms which attained national and international many years ago, there is a strong basis for his country to join hands with the Plateau State Government to revive the two companies for Job creation and employment.”

On livestock business and dairy production, the Ambassador said his country has enormous expertise in modern ranching practices which it has already committed to share with Nigeria through an MOU that was signed between the two countries.

The Ambassador said that his Mission is particularly interested in joining hands with the Plateau State Government towards actualising the National Livestock Transformation Programme. He said having done a pilot ranching programme in Kaduna State, the next destination is Plateau where the weather, land, and other incentives are conducive for livestock and dairy business.

Governor Lalong told the Ambassador that his visit was primarily to seek collaboration towards revival of the two moribund companies which have a huge potential for job creation and poverty alleviation.

He said the State Government acquired BARC Farms which was sold many years ago and still maintains majority shares in JIB which it is ready to divest to core investors.

The Governor said that his administration has also provided the basic infrastructure, security and incentives for investors, and is willing to go into public private partnerships where necessary to be able to achieve its objectives of boosting the economy of the State.

He expressed excitement of the possibility of Danish companies keying into the National Livestock Transformation Programme which will soon be implemented in Plateau State on its reserves in Kanam and Wase local government areas.

The Governor was accompanied on the visit by the Managing Director of the Plateau Investment and Property Development Company, Mr. Chrysogonus Yilzak, and some of his aides