Gov Abdulrazaq Takes Steps To Boost Agriculture In Kwara, Inaugurates Steering Committee For SAPZ Project

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has inaugurated Steering Committee for the implementation of the Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in Kwara state, a multimillion dollar project while noting that this would boost food and nutritional security. 

Supported by the Islamic Development Bank and counterpart funding from the state government, SAPZ is a $57.2m project designed to promote agroprocessing and sustainable farming, improve household incomes and foster job creation in rural agricultural communities, especially for youth and women.

‘Members of the (statutory) steering committee are the Governor (chairman); Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development; Commissioner for Finance; Commissioner for Budget and Planning; Commissioner for Business, Innovation and Technology; Commissioner for Works; Commissioner for Energy; and State Project Coordinator (SAPZ) who doubles as the secretary’ the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Rafiu Ajakaye submitted in a statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com on Friday.

‘This project has the capacity to radically impact the economy and livelihoods of so many Kwarans. As such, it is immensely important to me as the Governor of Kwara state and chairman of the State Steering Committee.

The objective of the SAPZ project is to support inclusive and sustainable agro-industrial  development in Kwara state. The SAP-Z Projects goal is to increase household incomes and foster job creation in rural  agricultural communities, especially for the youth and women, thereby enhancing  food and national security.

Also, the proposed SAPZ project will support economic and social development programmes of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the participating states. It will contribute to rural  infrastructure development, improve access to agricultural markets, increase farm productivity, promote agricultural technology, climate-smart agricultural  production, and processing practices.

It will also increase value addition in agro processing and skills acquisition with a focus on all actors  along the value chain, including small holder women and youth. As members of the state Inter-Agency Steering Committee, you are to provide oversight to the project at the state level as contained in the project appraisal document.

As you are being appointed to this role, I ask that you discharge your duties with utmost commitment and dedication to the success of this program and development of Kwara state’ the statement quoted the governor  to have also submitted.

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Toyosi Thomas-Adebayo said the inauguration of the committee has set a steady implementation of the multipurpose project in motion.

‘Rest assured, Your Excellency, of our dedication and commitment to the success of this project. We realize that it is important for the state and for you, and we are in this for impact’ she added.

State SAPZ Coordinator Engr. Busari Toyin Isiaka  also said the steering committee has the responsibility to ensure strategic direction and policy guidance for the project.

He said SAPZ currently involves eight states, but noted that Kwara, Kano, and Abuja are funded by Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), while the rest are financed either by AfDB or IFAD. 

‘Nigeria continues to tackle its major economic and development challenges. Specifically, however, the country needs to reduce dependency on oil and diversify the economy. This is the major reason for SAPZ, and the project has a lifespan of five years’ Isiaka added-Team@orientactualmags.com
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