By correspondent in Lokoja.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
All is set for Kogi to emerge as agricultural hub in Nigeria as Kogi State Government is living no stone unturned to actualize its food security agenda.Governor.
The governor of the state,Ahmed Usman Ododo, stated this at the Stakeholder Scoping Workshop for Environmental and Social Assesment (ESIA) of Special Agro Processing Zone 2 (SAPZ-2) In Adogu, Ajaokuta Local Government Area.
Governor Ododo, who was represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture,Mr. Timothy Ojomah, said that for his administration to achieve this,the development of Agro Industrial Hubs (AIHs) and Agro Transformation Centres (ATCs) must be factored in because it becomes essential in attaining food security.
The governor noted that the Federal Ministry of Environment had come to assess the environment, commence engagement with stakeholders and assuring community of the viability of the project.
Ododo assured the community that every land taken would be adequately compensated in accordance to best practices.
He allayed their fear of letting go of ancestral lands, emphasizing that the purpose of the project is for developmental programmes.
He expressed satisfaction with the assurance of active participation of traditional rulers, political class, civil societies and everybody involved in the entire activity and programmes of the project.
The governor appealed to the Federal Ministry of Environment to take SAPZ-2 as a priority project, adding that the land is fertile enough for the project.
The governor said that
Ajaokuta being at the centre of Nigeria, building Agricultural hub would bring much development to the people of Ajaokuta, the entire state and neighbouring states.
Ododo promised that the project would take place as soon as necessary ground work is done.
“Environmental Impact Assessment is ongoing, they will meet with stakeholders in their communities .
“Kogi state is doing what no state in the nation Its doing by providing free tractors to farmers in order to ensure massive food production and food sufficiency.
” This move will definitely help in producing surplus”.
“Processing aspect is already in place, export promotion activity is ongoing, we are making every relevant law to ensure whatever Kogi is processing,aside local consumption, national and international consumption will key in the entire process”.
Dr. Oliver Nwuju,the consultant handling the environment and social impact assessment of the project said the environment scoping project has informed the community about the proposed project ,getting their perception and registering concerns.
“This is to ensure there is a handshake between project implementers, community and other stakeholders in shaping the project design .
“The FMEnv under the EIA act 86 of 1992 made it compulsory for developmental projects to undertake screening to identify the category and impacts of projects before going into implementation. This also resonates with the Operational safeguard 1 of the AfDB,” he said.
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He explained further, that the purpose of EIA is to systematically identify positive impacts and suitable enhancement measures, and adverse impacts and tailor specific mitigation measures to ensure that project negative impacts do not offset the benefits.
According to him, the project is a smart agricultural climate, adding that experts will be deployed in the implementation phase to educate the participants on how to go into smart farming.
He explained that the whole idea is to make sure farming is sustained, making use of what is obtained in other parts of the world
Hon.Jibril Onoroiza Abu, member representing Ajaokuta in the state constituency expressed delight optimism with the provision of opportunities for People living with disabilities, PLWD and the less privileged in the project.
He expressed optimism that the project would trickle down in the community.
He advised the people to support the project by providing protective cover to the implementers but cautioned the community against any land dispute.
He assured that the community had promised to protect the project with their lives, because it has brought a ray of hope to the people of Ajaokuta.
Edited by Dawud Ahmed.
