By Musa Waziri
A delegation from the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) recently paid a working visit to the Taraba State Government as part of efforts to deepen strategic partnerships aimed at harnessing the state’s rich raw material resources for sustainable development.
The Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, was ably represented by the Director, Agriculture and Agro-Allied Department (AAD), Mr. Seb Ebierekwe and the Director, Administration and Human Resources Management Department (AHRMD), Mr. L. Suraj.
The delegation was received at the Government House in Jalingo by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister G. Timothy Kataps. In a show of strong institutional support, the SSG convened a high-level meeting with key commissioners and government officials to deliberate on areas of mutual interest.
Discussions centered on fostering strategic collaboration between RMRDC and the Taraba State Government, with a focus on leveraging the state’s vast natural endowments. Key commodities identified for development include tree crops such as cocoa, coffee, tea, rubber, and oil palm, as well as mineral resources including barytes, limestone, and galena.
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A notable outcome of the engagement was the proposal for the establishment of a state-of-the-art Resource Center in Taraba State. The center is envisioned to serve as a one-stop hub for showcasing the state’s agro-based and mineral-based resource potentials, with a strong emphasis on value chain development and investment promotion. It will offer prospective investors in-depth information and guidance on opportunities across various sectors.
Strategically located along Taraba State Secretariat Road in Jalingo, the RMRDC Taraba State Coordinating Office is adjacent to the ongoing construction site of the Modern Trade Fair Complex. This proximity is expected to enhance access to the proposed Resource Center, particularly during trade and investment events, thereby boosting visibility and stakeholder engagement.
In a significant gesture of support, the SSG directed that the title document for the proposed land be processed and handed over to the Council to facilitate the timely commencement of construction works on the Resource Center.
The Director of AHRMD also used the opportunity to invite the Taraba State Government to actively participate in the forthcoming Africa Raw Materials Summit, scheduled to take place from May 20 to 22, 2025, in Abuja. The summit presents a strategic platform for Taraba to showcase its agricultural and mineral wealth to a continental audience.
Taraba State remains poised to emerge as a major hub for raw materials development in Nigeria, underpinned by robust partnerships and forward-looking initiatives.
