FG Inaugurates SAPZ Committee to Boost Agro – Industrialization
The Federal Government has inaugurated a Federal Inter-Agency Technical Committee for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, aimed at accelerating agro-industrialization, boosting private sector investment, and transforming Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
Speaking during the Inauguration ceremony held at the Agric Ministry’s Conference room in Abuja, recently, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi said the Committee would guide the implementation of the SAPZ program and ensure coordination between agencies, as well as manage information sharing among stakeholders.
Dr. Ogunbiyi explained that the programme will adopt a strategic approach to unlock Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential through cluster-based development, integrated infrastructure, and seamless linkages between farmers, processors, markets, and industries, noting that the establishment of the Technical Committee marks a significant milestone in the coordinated implementation of the SAPZ Programme.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to providing the enabling environment, leadership, and support towards ensuring that the programme achieves its mandate.
The Permanent Secretary outlined the Committee’s Terms of Reference, which include providing technical guidance on programme implementation, identifying and addressing technical gaps and recommending appropriate solutions, ensuring alignment of sectoral policies and programmes with SAPZ objectives, and supporting the monitoring, evaluation, and reporting framework for accountability and impact
In a statement by the Ministry’s Head of Information, Ezeaja Ikemefuna, he charged the Committee to exhibit dedication, collaboration, and a shared sense of responsibility in the discharge of the onerous task, emphasizing that “Together, we can make the SAPZ Programme a model for agricultural transformation and sustainable economic development in Nigeria.”
The Director, Federal Department of Development Partnership Project, Mrs Iluromi Olubunmi, in her welcome address, stated that the inauguration was timely and necessary, emphasizing that it will provide the required technical guidance, inter-agency coordination, and policy alignment needed for the successful implementation of the programme across the country.
The National Project Coordinator, SAPZ, Dr. Kabir Yusuf, in his presentation, stated that ‘’the Program Development Objective is to support inclusive and sustainable agro industrial development in Nigeria, aimed at diversifying Nigeria’s economy through agriculture and reduction of food import bill’’.
He pointed out that “SAPZ is a cross-cutting platform to attract private sector investment into value added agro-processing to unlock opportunities for improved food security, job creation, export earnings, rural poverty reduction and increased contribution of agriculture to national GDP’’.
The inaugurated Committee comprises Representatives of the Federal Ministries of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Water Resources, Women Affairs, Industries, Trade & Investment, Power, Works, among other stakeholders.
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