Special agric zones to attract $4bn investments – NGF

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has said that the establishment of Special Agro-processing Zones (SAPZs) in Nigeria has the potential of attracting between one to four billion dollars investments into the country.

The Chairman of the forum and Governor of Ekiti, Kayode Fayemi, disclosed this while briefing reporters after the forum’s 4th meeting on Wednesday in Abuja.

Fayemi explained that all states were potential beneficiaries of the SAPZs initiative, which would bring together the farming and the processing community.

“The Forum was briefed by its deputy Chairman, Gov. Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto state on the meeting between the Forum and the AfDB. The officials came in company of existing and potential Chinese investors in Nigeria.

“The meeting was part of a series of high-level engagements driven by the AfDB to promote the establishment of SAPZs in Nigeria.

“This SAPZs which will bring together the farming and the processing community have the potential of attracting about one billion dollars from the AfDB and up to 4 billion dollars with the entry of private sector investors.”

Fayemi said that the governors already agreed with AfDB that a tasks desk for the initiative would be at NGF Secretariat to coordinate interest expressed from various states.

On the issue of health, he said that members of the forum resolved to continue to support the actualisation of universal health coverage in Nigeria.

This according to him followed update from the NGF Secretariat on Basic Health Care Fund (BHCF), State Health Insurance Agency and the fact that Nigeria had been polio-free for three years and on the verge of being certified polio free.

“The governors expressed willingness to prioritize routine immunization coverage in the States which will ensure that Nigeria is declared polio free and ensure sustainability moving forward.”

Asked of the governors’ decision on the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) directive on local government funds, Mr Fayemi said the governors were exploring available means to settle the matter.

“NFIU is a matter that is on our agenda consistently, but as you may be aware we are also in court.

“We are exploring all other initiatives in order to ensure that we come to a clear conclusion on NFIU matter.”