The federal government, on Saturday, denied claims that the North-East region was excluded from the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, describing the allegation as ‘misplaced’ and ‘inaccurate.’
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, refuted the allegations raised by members of the National Assembly caucus from the North-East zone, assuring that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu was rooted in inclusivity and national equity.
Kyari explained that the SAPZ initiative, which was conceptualised in 2019 and launched in 2022, initially selected eight locations based on eligibility criteria, including Kaduna, Kano, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, Imo, Cross River, and the FCT.
However, he noted that under the Tinubu administration, the programme has been expanded to include more states, with efforts underway to ensure every state is eventually onboarded.
He said, “Let me state unequivocally that no state is being left behind, phase 2 of the programme has commenced, and we have received expressions of interest from 27 states. Of these, 10 have fully met the eligibility requirements, including Gombe, Borno, and Bauchi from the North-East.”
He urged governors of Taraba, Yobe, and Adamawa States to actively pursue participation by fulfilling the necessary conditions for inclusion in the next tranche of Phase 2 funding of the programme.
Kyari also highlighted several ongoing federal agricultural projects in the North-East zone to counter claims of marginalisation.
They include support for over 8,000 wheat farmers in Gombe State, the development of irrigation infrastructure in Bauchi State through the NASENI-backed Irrigate Nigeria project, housing and empowerment initiatives in Adamawa State, and ecological restoration efforts under the ACReSAL project in collaboration with the World Bank.
The minister further emphasied the deployment of solar-powered infrastructure, the introduction of a soil health card scheme, and the soon-to-be-launched value-chain North project targeting 456,000 farmers, with the North-East being a major beneficiary.
“These are not symbolic projects, they are deliberate, results-oriented interventions designed to build a more resilient, productive, and inclusive agricultural economy.
“From the plains of the North-East to the riverine belts of the South-South, our agenda is one of shared prosperity and food security.
“The SAPZ programme is for all Nigerians, and every state will be brought on board,” the minister said.
Kyari also pointed to the Green Imperative Project recently signed by the administration, which will establish agricultural mechanisation service centres across all 774 local government areas in Nigeria, to ensure a nationwide agricultural boost.
