By Harry Awurumibe, State House, ABUJA
Determined to make fertilizers readily available and cheap for Nigerian farmers all year round, Nigerian Government and the Russian Federation today (Monday) in Abuja signed a fertilizer production agreement.
The agreement which was signed on behalf of the two nations by the Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Mr. Uche Orji and Mr. Dmitry Konyaev the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors of Uralchem took place inside the Chief of Staff Conference Room, Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking at the brief event which was witnessed by Chief of Staff (COS) to the President, Alhaji Abba Kyari, the Chairman of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), Governor Abubakar Badaru of Jigawa state, praised President Muhammadu Buhari and his Russian counterpart President Vladamir Putin for reaching the agreement on the prospect of both nations collaborating to make fertilizers available for the Nigerian farmers.
According to him, the Nigerian President has through PFI has given Nigerian farmers a new lease of life as fertilizers are now available and affordable.
Badaru also heaped praises on the COS for his untiring efforts to ensure that the new agreement with the Russians become possible.
He disclosed that there are no middlemen in the agreement as the two governments involved want the products to reach Nigerian farmers at a very reduced price.
Also speaking at the occasion, Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Alexey L. Sherbashin believes that the initiative between President Buhari and President Putin will yield the desired results.
In his statement, NSIA boss, Orji explained that the coming on board of the Russians will turn around the scarcity of fertilizers in Nigeria, adding that the sourcing of potash and phosphate from Russia and the involvement of Uralchem will ensure that fertilizers are available and affordable.
Mr. Ponyaev promised that Uralchem will be involved in the productions and distribution of fertilizers in Nigeria so that the products will be affordable to farmers.
