 |
| Credit: News Agency of Nigeria |
Nigeria and Brazil have officially signed the commercial phase of the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project (GIP) to enhance food security and drive agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
In a statement on Monday, Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications (Office of the Vice President), highlighted that the project aims to increase agricultural output and attract private-sector investments.
Described as Africa’s largest agricultural initiative focused on sustainable, low-carbon farming, the GIP seeks to establish structural conditions for efficient and competitive food production in Nigeria.
The initial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the $1.1 billion GIP was signed in 2018. Additionally, during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Brazil last year, agreements for the $4.3 billion second phase of the project and the $2.5 billion JBS initiative were signed, bringing the total investment to approximately $8 billion.
Vice President Kashim Shettima emphasized that signing the commercial phase of GIP 1 aligns with President Tinubu’s administration’s efforts to enhance food security. Speaking at the signing event at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Shettima stated that the initiative would leverage strategic opportunities to boost economic growth and strengthen investor confidence.
“As we tackle food security challenges and implement President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda, it is crucial to maximize existing initiatives like GIP for policy continuity, economic growth, and investor confidence,” Shettima noted.
He further highlighted that the GIP would integrate small-scale farmers into Nigeria’s agricultural value chains, addressing longstanding low productivity in the sector.
“This project perfectly aligns with our policies. It is a private sector-driven initiative designed to empower small-scale farmers by connecting them to broader agricultural networks. Today marks a significant milestone for our leadership, and despite starting seven years late, we are making meaningful progress toward food security and economic diversification,” Shettima added.
He credited key government officials, including the Ministers of Agriculture, Finance, Justice, and Foreign Affairs, for their roles in advancing the project.
Brazil’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, expressed pride in his country’s partnership with Nigeria on this initiative. He noted that the seven-year negotiation process aimed to secure financing from private and regional development banks.
The agreement will facilitate the importation of agricultural machinery, including tractors and spare parts, with assembly and maintenance carried out locally by trained Nigerian personnel. Garcete emphasized that equipment repairs would also be conducted within Nigeria.
On behalf of Brazil, Garcete thanked President Tinubu for successfully concluding the negotiations.
Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Umar Namadi, welcomed the agreement, recognizing its importance for agriculture and the national economy. He praised the Tinubu administration’s commitment to transforming the sector.
Similarly, Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, expressed enthusiasm, stating that as Nigeria’s “food basket,” Benue was particularly pleased to witness the deal’s finalization. He assured full state support for the project’s success.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, emphasized that the agreement exemplifies South-South Cooperation between Nigeria and Brazil. He noted that the Brazilian Foreign Minister had recently visited Nigeria for bilateral discussions, reinforcing both nations’ shared commitment to agricultural transformation.
Tuggar also highlighted Brazil’s remarkable agricultural success, turning arid land into a highly productive farming region, and expressed optimism that Nigeria could achieve similar results through the GIP.
Source Channelstv.com
Join Our WhatsApp Group
Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated
Post a Comment