The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi has inaugurated the Federal Inter-Agency Technical Committee for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, to enhance agro- industrialization, innovation , inclusive prosperity and attract private sector investment as well as revolutionize the agricultural ecosystem.
Speaking during the Inauguration ceremony held at the Ministry’s Conference room in Abuja, Dr. Ogunbiyi said the committee would guide the implementation of the SAPZ programme and ensure coordination between agencies, as well as manage information sharing among stakeholders.
Stating that the establishment of the Technical Committee marks an important milestone for the coordinated implementation and execution of the SAPZ Programme, the Permanent Secretary revealed that the programme is a strategic approach to unlocking Nigeria’s vast agricultural potential through cluster-based development and integrated infrastructure that links farmers to processors, markets, and industries.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to provide the enabling environment, leadership, and support to ensure that the programme achieved its mandate.
The Permanent Secretary mentioned the Term of Reference of the Technical committee includes; Providing technical guidance on the implementation strategies of the programme, , 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 to ensure accountability and impact, among others.
He appealed to the committee ‘’ embrace this platform with dedication, collaboration, and a shared sense of responsibility to deliver meaningful results for our nation. Together, we can make the SAPZ Programme a model for agricultural transformation and sustainable economic development in Nigeria’’.
In her welcome address, the Director, Federal Department of Development Partnership Project, Mrs Iluromi Olubunmi stated that “the inauguration of this committee is timely and necessary to provide the required technical guidance, inter-agency coordination, and policy alignment needed for the successful implementation of the programme across the country.
In his presentation, the National Project Coordinator, SAPZ, Dr. Kabir Yusuf stated that ‘’the Programme 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.’’
According to a statement by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Head of the Ministry’s Department of Information, “the highlight of the event was the inauguration of the committee, which comprises of the representatives of the Federal Ministries of Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Water Resources, Women Affairs, Industries, Trade & Investment, Power, Works, among others stakeholders.”
