FG Refutes North-East Exclusion Claims from SAPZ Programme

The Federal Government has refuted claims that the North-East region has been excluded from the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme.

This clarification comes after concerns were raised by lawmakers from the North-East caucus in the National Assembly.

Speaking at a press conference today, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, stated that the North-East is indeed part of the SAPZ initiative.

He explained that while the first phase of the programme included eight states (Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Cross River, and the FCT), these were selected based on their expressed interest and adherence to specific eligibility criteria verified by a joint federal team and the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Minister Kyari emphasized that the selection for the initial phase was not based on regional exclusion. He highlighted that the SAPZ programme operates on a subsidiary loan agreement, making state participation voluntary. He noted that some states had not yet expressed interest or fully complied with the requirements.

Furthermore, the Minister announced that the second phase of the programme is already underway, with 27 states having expressed interest. Out of these, 10 states, including Gombe, Borno, and Bauchi from the North-East, have met the eligibility criteria for the first tranche of the second phase. This, according to Kyari, demonstrates the active participation of the North-East in the SAPZ expansion.

Kyari urged legislators to encourage other North-East states, such as Taraba, Yobe, and Adamawa, to complete their application processes to benefit from upcoming tranches of the programme. He reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to equitable development across all regions of Nigeria.

In addition to the SAPZ programme, the Minister highlighted other ongoing agricultural initiatives in the North-East, including subsidized inputs for wheat farmers in Gombe, a large-scale irrigation project in Bauchi, and a farmer empowerment initiative in Adamawa. He also mentioned the upcoming VALUE-CHAIN – NORTH PROJECT, which will prioritize the North-East and target over 456,000 farmers.

The Federal Government has called on governors in the North-East to take proactive steps in meeting the eligibility requirements for the SAPZ programme. Minister Kyari assured that the SAPZ programme and other agricultural initiatives are designed for all Nigerians, with the aim of achieving national prosperity and food security. He also pointed to the Green Imperative Project, which will establish Agricultural Mechanization Service Centres in all 774 local government areas, ensuring no region is left behind.