By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
Stakeholders on the envisioned Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone that comprised seven Local Government Areas of Bauchi, weekend converged at State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP) to mould opinions and passion out modalities for the implementation of the proposed project.
The people oriented project which was introduced by the African Development Bank (ADB) and supported by the Arab Development Bank and International Bank for Agricultural Development is at the instant of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Speaking at the stakeholders engagement, the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Agriculture, Dr. Ilyasu Aliyu Vital stressed the need for the project consultants to make sure that all the set standards are being met by not only the farmers, but also other stakeholders such as the Bauchi University community and security, while the media wil be used to propagate the concept.
He explained that each and every individual that is going to be affected by the project will be consulted, his consent acknowledged, and will have a contribution to make, saying “It is not only a government project, it is a people oriented project and that why we are carrying the people along.
Dr. Ilyasu Gital stated that each of the participating seven Local Government Areas of Katagum, Alkaleri, Zaki, Tafawa Balewa, Toro, Ganjuwa and Bauchi will each have two selected representatives with the exception ofBauchi which has five persons.
The Special Adviser who described it as a gigantic conscise project that one cannot start it without ensuring the people concerned are not fully aware, hence the need to sensitize the farmers, locations and communities that are going to benefit from the planned agro-industrial processing zone.
Gital said, “They oughtto know that the project is coming to them, what is expected of them and their environment especially when taking into cognisance the environmental impact assessment (EIA) because every project has its EIA to assess what are the negatives impact the project is going to cause to the environment, and what are the environmental issues the project will benefit from”.
He further explained that discussing the issues at stake on the project will enable it mitigate any problem that might arise in the course of implementation, or any from the foreseeable future, so as to thrash it, as well as, the roles expected to play for the project to be fully utilize by the people that are meant for.
Dr. Gital commended Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed for the role he has been playing towards the realization of the project, describing him as very active, proactive, and who will continue in the same spirit till the proper establishment of the proposed agro-infustrial processing zone.
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