Kaduna govt is attracting agric investment to eradicate poverty, says deputy governor

Kaduna State Government says it is attracting agricultural investment to eradicate poverty through the World Bank-supported Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land Intensive Agricultural Investments (FRILIA) project.

The Deputy Governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, stated this while endorsing the developed toolkits for the FRILIA projects on Wednesday in Kaduna.

Balarabe said that the project would increase food security and improve livelihood in communities by attracting responsible agricultural investors.

She said that FRILIA seeks to accelerate strategic reforms that would foster public sector investment in agriculture and private sector participation in the state economy by addressing investment constraints.

She said that FRILIA provide opportunities for better alliance between commercial investors, small holder farmers and medium scale agricultural processors.

According to her, the host communities are expected to support the successful implementation of the project for sustainable and inclusive economic development that will help eradicate poverty.

The deputy governor said, “This is part of the World Bank’s twin goals of reducing global extreme poverty to three per cent by 2030 and promote shared prosperity.

“FRILIA being a responsible framework ensure sound environmental and social practices that will further enhance Kaduna State’s attractiveness for private investments in the agricultural sector.

“This is in line with on-going efforts to minimise potential conflicts between communities as well as conflict between pastoralists and farmers.

“I, therefore, call on communities and all stakeholders to give this administration the requisite support to make FRILIA a success story in the state and Nigeria.”

She said that the state government had secured a credit facility from the bank, to implement its Economic Transformation Programme–for-Results (PforR).

The objective, she said, was to improve the business enabling environment as well as strengthen fiscal management and accountability in the State.

Balarabe said that the adoption of FRILIA was to guide the state’s efforts towards attracting large scale agricultural investments that guarantees shared benefits for the investors and host communities.

In his remarks, Mr Chris Umar, Deputy Chief of Staff for Legislative Matters to Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, said that effort was on-going to institutionalise FRILIA project for sustainability.

He disclosed that the FRILA Bill had passed Fist Reading at the State Assembly, adding that, “we are expecting it will be read the second time hopefully by tomorrow (Thursday).”

The Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Nuhu Bamalli, who signed on behalf of the state’s Council of Chiefs, commended the state government for the initiative, describing it as “essential” to economic transformation at community level.

Bamalli assured the state government of the support of traditional leaders to facilitate successful implementation of the project.

Similarly, Mrs Hadiza Umar, Co-Chair (Citizens), Open Government Partnership, who signed on behalf of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), stressed the need for further consultations with citizens to carry them along.

According to her, the success of the project will largely depend on the level of citizens understanding of the project and their participation in its implementation.  (NAN)