FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, PARTNERS TO COMMENCE SAPZ PHASE TWO IN 27 STATES 03-05-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Federal government in partnership with some Development Financial Institutions has embarked on a preparatory mission for the expansion of Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone Programme phase two in twenty seven states of the Federation.
The Assistant Director, African Financial Institutions, International and Economic Department, Federal Ministry of Finance, Dr. Oyebola Akonde stated this during a visit by the Preparatory Team of the Programme in Abakaliki.
The Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone Programme is a comprehensive agro industrialization project designed to accelerate private sector investment in value added agro processing in Nigeria.
Already the first phase of the programme is being implemented in seven states which are Cross River, Imo, Ogun, Oyo, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara and the Federal Capital Territory with funding coming from African Development Bank, Islamic Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development.
Dr Oyebola Akonde explained that they were in Ebonyi State to assess the existing infrastructure and agro facilities for the take-off of the programme noting that participating States would be required to contribute counterpart funding while Development Financial Institutions would provide the balance.
The Technical Assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security on Partnership and Collaboration, Mr Maruf Ajenifuja described the programme as investment driven aimed at enhancing the nation’s agricultural potential for food security and export.
A Chief Agro Industrial Economist representing African Development Bank, Dr Chuma Ezedinma explained that the Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone would consist of three components namely Agro Industrial Hub, Agricultural Transformation Centres and Aggregation Centres.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Princess Nkechinyere Iyioku who conducted the team round some agro facilities including, Abakaliki Hatchery, Iboko Rice Mill and Abakaliki Rice Mill as well as a designated land for the programme in Izzi Local Government Area assured the Team of the state government’s commitment to participate actively in the programme.