Agriculture
Buhari launches $575m RAAMP project in 18 States
President Muhammadu Buhari has launched the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) to the tune of $575m. This is aimed at providing access roads in rural areas to boost agricultural marketing.
The five-year project to be implemented in 18 states is funded by the World Bank through contribution from the International Development Association (IDA) to the tune of $280m and the French Development Agency (AFD) to the tune of $230m, while contributions from participating states is about $65m.
The participating states include Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Gombe, Kogi, Kastina, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kwara, Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Osun, Niger, Plateau and Sokoto states.
Represented by the Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, President Buhari noted that the project would improve rural access, agricultural marketing in participating states and strengthening of financial and institutional base for effective development and maintenance of rural roads.
He stated that project is in line with his commitment to ensure that no Nigerian go to bed hungry, saying the project is a restoration of hope to the teaming rural populace that their welfare remains a key objective of his administration.
The president mentioned that his administration has midwived various projects ranging from environmental, infrastructure to agriculture by development partners, such as the World Bank, French Development Agency, African Development Bank among others.
While commending the World Bank, AFD and the line ministries for successfully birthing the project, he said “provision of access roads is the cutting edge to rural development, hence providing connectivity to agricultural marketing and production centres would change the micro indices in favour of the rural populace, which would be achieved through the improvement and sustainability of rural roads infrastructure.
He however, tasked the project managers to ensure that all activities are in line with the resolutions taken at the just concluded Cairo COP 27 on climate change and overall environmental health.
The Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri commended the World Bank and the AFD for the support given during the recent floods that destroyed roads and washed away many bridges.
The World Bank Country Director, Shubam Chaudhuri in his remarks noted that the RAAMP is about connecting farmers to markets and giving hope to farmers in Nigeria.
“We are very happy to be supporting Nigeria, the Federal Government, as well as the states on this. The board approved over $9.2b for the project, it is the largest for any country in the world.”
The Country Director, French Development Agency, Xavier Muroon said they are investing about 300million Euros into rural development, saying the investment is in line with three major commitment of the AFD one of which is to increase African countries food security and sovereignty.
She mentioned that the RAAMP project contributes to the Sustainable Development Goal Two and 11, which is achieving Zero Hunger and improving development of sustainable rural cities.
The Borno Government has announced the creation of Ministry of Livestock and Fishery Development to align its
Development strategy with Federal Government initiatives, and boost the state’s economic potential.
Gov. Babagana Zulum made the announcement on Tuesday during the swearing in of two commissioners at the council chambers of the Government House.
Zulum underscored the importance of livestock and fisheries as vital sectors with untapped revenue potential.
He emphasised that the new ministry would focus on high-yield livestock breeds, milk production and fisheries, targeting both domestic consumption and export opportunities.
The governor said that “no state government can make substantial money in livestock alone, but we believe with the right investment and political will, the sector can generate significant revenue.”
He said that the growing demand for milk by yogurt companies and the proximity of Maiduguri to Asian and Arab markets, are great opportunities for dairy exportation.
The governor, therefore, assigned the Deputy Governor, Dr Umar Kadafur, to oversee the activities of the new ministry, citing his practical experience and passion for livestock development.
He said “livestock development is not just about academic qualifications, it is about practice and the deputy governor has demonstrated capability in that regard.”
According to him, the ministry will prioritise procuring high-yielding livestock varieties, enhancing milk production and creating sustainable rural projects to support
Local communities.
He said that projects in Mafa, Gajiram and in Southern Borno will soon be launched under the new ministry’s purview.
The governor urged civil servants and ministry personnel to take ownership of the new initiative, adding that the ministry’s success would contribute to the states
Long-term economic stability and self-reliance.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, managed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) through the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC) has commenced operations after undergoing rehabilitation and modernisation.
The refinery with 210,000 bpd refining capacity located at Alesa, Eleme, in Port Harcourt, comprises two operational units which were established in 1965 and 1989.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the old plant refines a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd), while the new plant refines 150,000 bpd.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government, under former President, Muhammadu Buhari, had in March 2021 secured a 1.5 billion dollars loan to rehabilitate the facility which contract was awarded to an Italian firm, Tecnimont S.P.A, a subsidiary of Maire Tecnimont Group.
NAN) reports that Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd. is leading the team to inspect the first lifting of petroleum product from the facility after its rehabilitation.
Alia appoints head of agric company, others
Gov. Hyacinth Alia has approved the appointment of Mr. Donald Aorkwagh Akule as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Benue State Agricultural Development Company (ADC).
The governor also approved the appointment of Dr Aondoakaa Asambe as Principal Special Assistant (PSA) on Livestock Development and Animal Transboundary Disease Control.
The appointments were announced in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi on Friday.
According to the statement, the governor also appointed Mr Abraham Agogo as Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Community Mobilisation.
The statement added that the appointments take immediate effect.
It said that Akule brings over 15 years of experience in agricultural systems, community development, research and development, and food processing.
He holds a B.Sc. in Food Science and Technology from Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi, and is a Certified Fellow in Agricultural Systems Development under USAID and Lagos Business School.
Meanwhile, Asambe, a member of the Nigeria Veterinary Medical Association and a registered veterinary surgeon with the Veterinary Council of Nigeria, has been a lecturer at Federal University, Dutsima, for the past 12 years.
He holds a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi (now Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University, Makurdi).
He also holds a postgraduate degree in Food Animal Medicine at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
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