Agro-processing: Ogun nominated for AFDB’s SAPZ programmes

Ogun State has been nominated as one of the beneficiary states of the First Phase Implementation of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, SAPZs Programme in Nigeria.

The Minister of Finance, Budget & National Planning, Zainab Ahmed disclosed this at the high level meeting held via zoom on Special-Agro industrial processing zones programme.

The establishment of the special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, SAPZs is an integrated development initiative aimed at concentrating agro- processing activities within areas of high agricultural potentials to boost productivity and integrate production, processing, and marketing of selected commodities.

Twenty-four states had participated in the bidding process leading to the announcement of the beneficiaries.

Other seven states including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT were selected for the programme to be flagged off in January, 2022.

The virtual meeting on Monday had representatives from the African Development Bank, AfDB, International Fund for Agricultural Development, IFAD, the Islamic Development Bank, IsDB and other partners.

The meeting was the concluding engagement preceding the full implementation of SAPZ Programme in Nigeria.

It equally featured Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun; his Oyo State counterpart, Seyi Makinde; Imo state governor, Hope Uzodinma, Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-rufai and the Cross River State governor, Ben Ayade.

Emmanuel Ukoh