Special agro-industrial processing zone to take off in Bauchi

Bauchi State government has said that it will ensure an all-around success of the African Development Bank-backed Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone located in the state.

The state Commissioner Ministry of Agriculture Professor Simon Madugu Yalams stated that the administration will continue to give necessary support to ensure the success of the SAPZ.

While speaking at a workshop on the social environmental impact assessment for Stakeholders’ Scoping on the Proposed Bauchi State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), Phase II project held in Bauchi, the commissioner said that the state was determined to expand its economy via the agribusiness value chain.

Represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture Dr Iliyasu Gital, the commissioner said that Bauchi State is privileged to have been selected as one of the states for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone, saying that the project will give room for structural transformation in agriculture.

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He said that, “a project that can impact on many households and create direct and indirect jobs across the six states, is not one that we are ready to toy with.”

The commissioner said that Bauchi State being among the two states selected from the six states of the North will work together with the consultant to ensure that all the standards set for the project are met by the state.

“Like you have heard from one of us, the university has to be involved, the Army has to be involved. So, to make sure that we are selected, each and every individual that is going to be affected by this project must be consulted, has his consent and has a positive contribution that is going to make.”

The permanent secretary ministry of Agriculture Alhaji Ibrahim Yushau Isa said the present administration will continue to develop farm products including cassava, sesame, soyabean, rice, cassava, potatoes, sweet potatoes, maize as requested by African Development Bank (AfDB) to expand the state’s economy.

He explained that based on the performance of the SAPZ and quality of the proposed project, other banks such as Arab Development Bank, International Bank for Agricultural Development are also funding the project.