The African Development Bank, AfDB, has finished arrangements to establish Special Agro-Promising Zones (SAPZs) in all the 36 of the country, Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi, reveals.
Yesterday night, Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF and governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, Addressing press at the end of the meeting of the governors in Abuja disclosed that the action is designed at bringing together the farming and processing community.
According to Fayemi, with the action, the farmers have the potential of attracting about $1 billion from the AfDB and up to $4 billion with the entry of private sector investors.
Fayemi said: “We the members of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF). at the meeting held today at the NGF Secretariat Abuja, deliberated on several issues and resolved as follows: “The Forum was briefed by the deputy chairman H.E Aminu Waziri Tambuwal Governor of Sokoto State on the meeting between the Forum and the African Development Bank, the officials came in the company of existing and potential Chinese investors in Nigeria. The meeting “as part of a series of high-level engagements driven by the AfDB to promote the establishment of Special Agro-Promsing Zones (SAPZs) in Nigeria.
“These SAPZs, which will bring together the farming and processing community have the potential of attracting about $1 billion from the AfDB and up to $4 billion with the entry of private sector investors. “Following an update from the NGF Secretariat on Basic Health Care Fund (BHCF), State Health Insurance Agency and the fact that Nigeria has been polio-free for three years and on the edge of being certified polio free, members resolved to continue to support the actualization of universal health coverage in the country.
“The Forum received a presentation on the forthcoming State of the States Conference scheduled to hold from 26 – 27 November 2019, from Scott Sheldon the Managing Director of CWC. Governors pledged to work with the team from CWC to deliver on the objectives of the conference. “The Forum received a presentation on Polio eradication from Rotary International Nigeria PolioPlus Committee, led by the Chairman Dr Tunji Funsho. The Governors expressed willingness to prioritize routine immunization coverage in the States which will ensure that Nigeria is declared polio free and ensure sustainability moving forward.”
The new guideline mandates financial institutions to distribute funds accrual to local governments among the local government councils of that state and not for the other purposes, just as new financial guidelines limit cash transactions in the accounts of local governments to a daily maximum of N500, 000.
