By Timothy Ekpo
UYO
In a renewed drive to enhance food and agro allied products in line with the ARISE Agenda philosophy, the Akwa Ibom government has indicated interest to partner the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) to boost agriculture in the state.
The governor, Pastor Umo Eno, stated this during a courtesy call on him by a delegation from the Bank at Government House, Uyo, recently.
Represented by the deputy governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi, the governor stated that the collection basically would tailor towards strengthening government efforts to develop and promote agro processing in the area of cassava and oil palm production in the state.
The governor explained that its decision to work with the Bank was intended to support the state’s agricultural value chain, provide job opportunities, and boost economic growth.
Eno assured on prompt payment of the counterpart fund and applauded ADB for its efforts in partnering governments across Africa to drive industrialisation and food production, noting that governments require the support of multilateral institutions to achieve sustainable growth.
“Permit me to appreciate the work that the African Development Bank is doing, going round to partner with governments to ensure that development as it relates to industrialisation, provision of food and other good things get to the states. Government cannot handle it alone. In every sector, government is always looking for capable agencies like yours to partner with,” he said.
The state chief executive noted that his administration was determined to expanding opportunities in all parts and sectors of the State, particularly in rural communities where agriculture remains a major source of livelihood.
He maintained that small-scale initiatives, if properly nurtured, could grow into large scale production industries capable of transforming the state’s economy, while assuring that the government is ready to provide counterpart funding required for the proposed partnership with the Bank.
According to him, the collaboration with ADB would help close the gap between farming and industry, particularly in areas such as oil palm and cassava processing, where the state has abundant raw materials.
“For example, Akwa Ibom State is blessed with oil palm which can be processed in mills established in the State for export, instead of selling the raw materials and causing capital flight.
“We are also blessed with abundant cassava and our mega farm modelled after the Songhai method will soon take off.
“What you are trying to do is bridge that gap so that the processing will take place here and the finished products will be ready for export,” he explained.
The principal agro-industrial processing officer of the Bank, Dr. Bernard Onzima, said the delegation was in the state to conduct a pre-appraisal for the second phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme in Nigeria.
Onzima, who was the team lead, explained that the programme, currently being implemented in several African countries, was designed to address challenges in agricultural value chains, particularly limited value addition and high post-harvest losses.
He stated that the Bank has invested over one billion dollars in about 10 countries under the programme and is considering eight additional Nigerian states, including Akwa Ibom, for the second phase of the initiative.
The leader of the delegation added that the proposed second tranche is expected to attract about $350 million in financing, comprising $200 million from the African Development Bank and $150 million in co-financing from the Islamic Development Bank, while also requiring counterpart contributions from participating states.
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