In Bauchi State’s 20 local government areas, 50 participants have been selected, with five spots allocated to Bauchi LG, encompassing university, security, media, and government representatives. They will partake in the upcoming Phase II of the Bauchi State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) project.
During a Stakeholders’ Scoping Workshop on the Proposed Bauchi State Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ), Phase II project, the State Ministry of Agriculture revealed the information. The workshop took place at the BSADP Conference Hall on Saturday. At the event, Professor Simon Madugu Yalams, the State Commissioner of Agriculture, explained that SAPZ is an initiative by the African Development Bank (ADB) aimed at enhancing agriculture and ensuring food accessibility and security.
Dr. Iliyasu Aliyu Gital, the Special Adviser to Governor Bala Mohammed on Agriculture, represented the Commissioner in sharing that due to the success of the SAPZ and the proposed project’s quality, additional funding institutions like the Arab Development Bank and the International Bank for Agricultural Development have shown interest in supporting the project.
The Commissioner emphasized that, as a focused project, SAPZ cannot commence without guaranteeing that all relevant parties are well-informed and educated about it. He added that the primary objective of the workshop was to sensitize the stakeholders, including farmers, locations, and communities who will benefit from the project, to understand that this initiative is being implemented.
Simon Yalams highlighted that the workshop would allow participants to gain insights into their responsibilities and the project’s impact on their environment, particularly as environmental assessment is a crucial aspect of the project. He stated, “Since any project has environmental implications, we want to evaluate the potential negative impact on the environment and the environmental benefits the project will bring. Today, we will discuss these matters, and if there are any project-related issues, we will identify ways to address them.”
The Commissioner further elaborated that engaging with community members is essential to identify and address potential problems before the project’s implementation. He emphasized, “If we believe any aspect of the project might create issues for the community in the future, we will discuss it today to find solutions and ensure that we mitigate those potential problems.”
He reassured that through the project, the community would understand the changes it will bring and the measures taken to minimize any negative impacts.
The Commissioner mentioned that throughout the project, participants are expected to fulfill specific roles to guarantee its successful implementation and benefits for the intended beneficiaries. He added that Bauchi State, being one of the two selected states from the six northern states, will collaborate with consultants to ensure the project adheres to all established standards.
He praised Governor Senator Bala Mohammed for his proactive approach and commitment to the project, stating that the Governor has already taken necessary steps and will continue to do so. The Commissioner further emphasized the importance of involving the university and the army in the project, as well as consulting and obtaining consent from every individual who will be affected by it, ensuring their positive contributions to the project’s success.
