Federal Govt, Kwara Partner On $59m Agroprocessing Scheme

Kwara State government has keyed into the $59million federal government-led agroprocessing initiative.

The chief press secretary to the state governor, Alhaji Rafiu Ajakaye, disclosed this at the Media Parliament of the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) held in Ilorin, the state capital yesterday.

Ajakaye who said that the agroprocessing project would be funded by the Islamic Development Bank, added that the initiative intended to end the practice of herders moving from one community to the other with attendant clashes with farmers and local land holders.

“The agroprocessing zone is planned for Lata in Patigi Local Government Area and funded by Islamic Development Bank. The idea is to redesign and refocus the cattle business, with emphasis on improving living standards of the herders through provisions of basic things they need such as animal feeds, water, schools for their children, healthcare and modest dwelling and all necessary facilities — all in one place.

“This will instantly increase cattle milk production, improve their health, and end the practice of herders moving from one community to the other with attendant clashes with farmers and local land holders,” he added.

Ajakaye also said that the state government was determined to complete the Osi and Ilesha Baruba satellite campuses of the Kwara State University (KWASU).

“The Osi and Ilesha Baruba campuses of the Kwara State University are not just an extension of the school. This administration has chosen to complete them because these campuses will cause rapid socioeconomic development in Kwara South and Kwara North.

“From less than 35 percent in 2019, the Phase 1 of Osi campus is now more than 80% completed. Once these schools welcome students and lecturers, it will be one of the best strategies to drive economic and physical developments to the two axes. Jobs will be created, and properties will become more viable.

“Wherever a school exists, a whole gamut of ancillary economic activities will also spring up. Private individuals will build hostels, people will sell things for the well-being of the new population, and a lot of service providers will migrate to the area. In all of these, the people benefit”, he said.

The governor’s aide said that part of the constraints of the state government is scarce resources, adding that the governor was anxious to cause rapid growth and development in all the three senatorial districts of the state, “since everyone has equal rights to demand for government attention, we can only manage the scarce resources.”