The Katsina State Government says it will establish a Tomato Processing Company to boost irrigation in the state.

Gov. Aminu Masari disclosed this on Sunday in Mashi during a Town Hall meeting with people of the Mashi/Dutsi Federal Constituency.

Masari said the company would be established in Danja Local Government Area through a Public Private Partnership (PPP).

The governor said the decision was part of the efforts of his administration to boost irrigation, thereby creating job opportunities for the people.

He said the initiative would also prevent rural-urban drift in the state.

Masari said his administration would continue to accord top priority to agriculture to enhance agricultural productivity and guarantee food security.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the governor was responding to a call to construct a dam in the area.

In his contribution, Malam Abdullahi Garba, Education Secretary, Mashi Local Education Authority, said the area was facing dearth of primary school teachers.

Garba urged the government to recruit more primary school teachers, rehabilitate the schools and settle promotion arrears of teachers from 2010 to date.

Responding, the governor assured that his administration would construct the dam and fulfill all his campaign promises as soon as the state’s grant from the Federation Account was increased. (NAN)

•Photo shows Governor Masari.