Few weeks ago, I stumbled on a news report that the African Development Bank is investing a whopping 540 Million Dollars in seven (7) states in Nigeria under a scheme it called; Specialized Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Program.
Few weeks ago, I stumbled on a news report that the African Development Bank is investing a whopping 540 Million Dollars in seven (7) states in Nigeria under a scheme it called; Specialized Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Program.
The benefitting states include Cross River, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Ogun, and Oyo and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The goal of the Program is to support inclusive and agro-indistrial development in Nigeria.
The Program has four broad components namely: (i) Support the development of enabling climate adapted infrastructure for Agro-Industrial Hubs (AIHs), (ii) Improve agricultural productivity and enterprise development to enhance agricultural value chains and job creation in the SAPZ Catchment Areas, (iii) Support Agro-Industrial Zone Policy and Institutional Development, and (iv) Program Coordination and Management.
Forget the big grammar above, let me break it down and highlight the specific benefits this program will accrue to the state.
First of all a 540 million dollars when converted to naira is about 250 Billion Naira, thats is what is been invested in the economy of the state, the total revenue of this state in 2 years is not up to 250 Billion Naira(I stand to be corrected) but that is the amount that is entering Cross River at a go.
That program is meant to provide more than 50 thousand direct jobs and more than 100 thousand indirect jobs for Cross Riverians.
The community and neighbouring communities where this program is sited will enjoy the social amenities that is embedded in the program which include a 24 hours power supply. Yes, 24 hours power supply free of charge.
The program will attract a further investments that will run into millions of dollars to the state and turn the economy of the state around within a very a short time.
Infact according to the President of the African Development Bank,Akinwumi Adesina, “the special agro-industrial processing zones will be game-changers for agriculture in Nigeria. They will provide world-class infrastructure to support food agribusinesses to locate close to zones of production, develop competitive value chains supported by logistic systems that will drive food processing and value addition. The SAPZs will help create massive wealth and jobs in rural areas and turn rural areas away from being zones of economic misery to zones of economic prosperity.”
Out of curiosity, I dug further to know how Cross River became a beneficiary of this gigantic and live changing program and one name came up; Barr. Chris Agam Agara.
The business guru turned politician was the sole influencer of that incredible program to Cross River and Ikom in particular. The man mobilized his huge and wide international contacts and resources to be able to influence that project to Cross River State.
For someone like me who knows and is worried about the state of Cross River economy, I have found the ideal governor for Cross River.
A governor that can create jobs, and improve on the massive foundation put in place by his predecessor. A governor that can attract investment in millions of dollars and ensure that all the industries put in place by his predecessor perform at optimal level. A governor that will build an economy that is totally independent of FAAC just like Lagos State. A governor that superintend over a state which economy will be competing with some African countries. He is Barr. Chris Agara
