By Francis Nansak
Nasarawa state is to receive support from the African Development Bank in the implementation of the second phase of the specialised agro industrial processing zones in Nigeria.
President and Chief Executive Officer of the regional bank, Adewumi Adesina made the disclosure during the commissioning of a soya beans oil processing refinery at the CSS Global Integrated Farms Limited, Gora in Karu local government area.
Observers Times reports that the Nasarawa State Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe represented Governor Abdullahi Sule at the occasion.
Describing the establishment of the soya beans oil refinery as a light in the agricultural sector to support the transformation of the nation’s economy and efforts to make Nigeria self sufficient the African Development Bank President, Dr. Adewumi Adesina stressed the need for leaders at all levels to develop viable policies and programmes that will support local farmers and boost value chain in the country.
While regretting the level of hunger in Nigeria due to hike in food prices, Adesina said accelerated efforts are needed to expand food production, lower the price of food commodities, eliminate food import dependency and support local farmers to feed the nation.
According to the African Development Bank Chief Executive, the regional bank and its partners are supporting the Federal Government at implementing a five hundred and twenty eight million dollar programme for the development of specialised agro processing zones in eight states of the federation to include Cross Rivers, Imo, Oyo, Ogun, Kaduna, Kano, Kwara and the FCT, adding that Nasarawa state and twenty eight other states fall under the second phase of the programme targeting at one billion dollars.
Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan and his counterpart from Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma encouraged wealthy individuals to emulate the founder and CEO of the CSS Global Integrated Farms for complementing what the Federal Government is doing to ensure food security and wealth creation
Deputy Governor of Nasarawa state, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, while speaking on behalf of Governor Abdullahi Sule at a special thanksgiving church service presided by the Metropolitan Arch Bishop of Abuja, commended the founder of CSS Global Integrated Farms Limited, John Kennedy Okpara for establishing the state of the art facility in the state, assuring that the state will continue to develop investor friendly policies that will make the state an investment heaven.
For John Kennedy Okpara, the founder of the one thousand, seven hundred and fifty hectare farm, the establishment of the oil refinery at the farm which also serves as a training ground for young farmers and entrepreneurs was to key into the integrated system of agriculture and converting waste to wealth as well as addressing food crisis and providing platform for employment.
