Stakeholders in the implementation of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones SAPZ steering committee has recommitted to ensuring the full implementation and success of the programme.
The commitment was made at a SAPZ-1 high level implementation acceleration dialogue and state steering/technical committee workshop in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) programme is a major investment programme to accelerate the industrialization of agricultural sector in Nigeria for inclusive and economic growth and the high-level executive dialogue/Steering & Technical Committee workshop aims to find a lasting solution to challenges being encountered in the implementation of the programmme.
The main objective of the workshop is to discuss the implementation bottlenecks and accelerated implementation agreement amongst all parties including Federal Ministry of Finance, the Development Financing Partners (AFDB, ISDB, IFAD) and participating States.
Delivering his remark, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari said the dialogue became imperative as there were concerns that needed to be addressed.
“This dialogue has become imperative to address the concerns raised by the state governors and collectively agree on the way forward Today, I expect a robust dialogue amongst us, considering the lessons learned from the established successful models on agro-industrial processing zones across the globe The need to align all our efforts at the federal and state levels, as well as with our development partners, is germane for us”.
Senator Kyari said the benefit of the programme is very important to the growth of the Nigerian economy through the creation of over 500, 000 direct and indirect jobs.
“The potential economic benefits of SAPZ program acceleration, amongst others, will include some additional metric tons of food to the nation’s food basket, 500,000 direct and indirect jobs to be created within the program operations for project location And about 2.5 million temporary jobs to be created along infrastructure development and related services by design”.
Kyari added that the implementation of SAPZ would further boost yields of staple food in the country.
“SAPZ will improve the yield of our staples from 5% to 10% to about 50% to 100% increase and reduce post-harvest losses from 45% to 20%”
IFAD
The country director of the International Fund for Agricultural Development, Dede Ekoue called on implementing organisations to work together and surmount the challenges facing the project in order to achieve the desired outcome.
“As indicated by the DG of AfDB, We must work together to address the challenges affecting implementation. Key actions to consider include strengthening coordination at all levels, bolstering technical capacity with additional seasoned experts, addressing financial incentives, and continuing to ensure highly competitive recruitment to attract the best resource persons for this innovative yet complex program”
She stated that the strategic gathering is expected to empower all the stakeholders to accelerate implementation of SAPZ to help Nigeria achieve food security and an inclusive economic growth.
AFDB
On his part the Director General of the African Development Bank, Country Department in Abuja Dr. Abudul Kamara said the SAPZ Programme has the potential to transform Nigeria’s agricultural industrialization.
“This program really has an opportunity to transform this economy, especially the rural economy, and also put us at a consistent and promising path to industrialization using our agricultural potential”
“So the program will particularly reduce post-harvest losses within the cash-back areas from a current 50% to about 10% to 20%. Your Excellencies, you will agree with me that these milestones, when achieved, will make a significant contribution not only to our state economies, but to the federation as a whole” He added.
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