Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has been presented a ₦5 billion (five billion naira) cheque by Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The cheque was presented to him at the launch of the ₦500 billion “Produce for Lagos” initiative held at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja.
The ₦5 billion cheque is for the cultivation of rice, yam, and beans under a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing food security and agricultural productivity.
The “Produce for Lagos” agricultural initiative also aligns with the Renewed Hope agricultural agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to enhance agricultural output through inter-state collaboration in food production.
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, was also applauded by various speakers at the event, which was witnessed by many eminent personalities, for his unwavering commitment to the transformation of agriculture through mechanisation, which they said would transition the country from poverty to prosperity.
Governor Umaru Bago, in a fireside chat, highlighted the potential of the state, especially in the area of agriculture.
The objectives of the partnership that will see the cultivation of rice, yam, and beans are: to establish a coordinated, data-driven agricultural produce inflow into Lagos State; promote the establishment and operation of farm estates and aggregation infrastructure in Niger State; facilitate a private-sector-led logistics and aggregation ecosystem that reduces post-harvest losses and food costs; enhance food security, economic development, and inter-state agricultural trade, among others.
Lagos State is expected to provide guaranteed offtake agreements via its licensed bulk aggregators, facilitate the issuance of working capital loans to the Niger Aggregation Company for offtake operations, enable access to the Lagos Food Logistics Hub and other food markets managed by LAFSINCO for bulk deliveries, support investment promotion and matchmaking between private investors and Niger-based producers, and ensure consistent standards and market requirements are communicated to producers.
ALSO READ: Niger govt, Dangote sign N1.8trn pact to guarantee supply, off-take of paddy rice
Niger State, on the other hand, is to allocate land for the development of farm estates targeting key commodities demanded in Lagos, facilitate the registration and setup of the Niger Aggregation Company in alignment with programme standards, provide supporting infrastructure like access roads and utilities to farm and aggregation locations, and develop regulations to facilitate seamless inter-state food logistics and private sector operations.
Both parties are to define and designate aggregation zones and logistics corridors within Niger State, collaborate on creating harmonised quality standards and certification protocols, and monitor programme performance, resolve implementation challenges, and ensure compliance.
To ensure and guide effective implementation as well as track progress, a joint Steering Committee will be established with equal representation from both states, even as a Programme Delivery Office (PDO) will be formed to coordinate daily implementation with aggregators, farm developers, and logistics operators.
The partnership is for an initial period of five years, renewable by mutual agreement.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE