The establishment of Special Agro-Processing zones by the Nigerian government has started yielding results in line with the goals of the food sufficiency target of the government.
Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma disclosed this to State House Correspondents while briefing them on resolutions reached at the November meeting of the National Economic Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
He said the National Coordinator of the Agro-Processing zones briefed the council where he disclosed the gains so far garnered from the first phase of the programme.
He said: “Council received a presentation from the national coordinator of the special agro industrial processing zones (SAPZ). This is a national agro development programme by the federal government, working with the African Development Bank.
“The pilot States of Kano, Kaduna, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Cross River, and FCT, under phase 1 are doing well as the projects in these States are at various stages of completion.
“Impressed by the programme, the second phase is about to start with additional 21 States. So the Council resolved and urged all the States to key into this programme because it is going to be the game changer and will help achieve the food security programme of the federal government.”
The Governor said the SAPZ coordinating office is working out a multi-tranche financing arrangement to accommodate additional States over the next three years.
Science Infrastructure
Governor Uzodinma also disclosed that State governments in Nigeria were advised to leverage the opportunities provided by the National Agency for Science Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI).
“A presentation by the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) showed the agency’s latest innovations and strategic initiatives including products like a solar irrigation pump, electric vehicles, coal-based fertilizer, NASENI solar home systems, and smart devices.
“Council urged States to leverage NASENI’s tailored support for manufacturing, industrial development, and access to public sector markets, alongside infrastructure and policy benefits to enhance economic growth.
“The Council directed NASENI to repair tractors and other agricultural machinery across the country and scale up the establishment of lithium battery factories in regions rich in raw materials,” said the Governor.
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