APPEALS Project: Chief Onoja declares 7th pre-implementation support mission open »

Kogi State has its eyes on the ball on policy thrusts for food security, local production, job creation, and economic diversification, State Deputy Governor and Chairman, Steering Committee of the Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support– APPEALS Project, Chief (Dr.) Edward Onoja says.

He spoke on Monday, declaring open the 7th Pre Implementation Support Mission visit to Kogi State, led by Operations Manager, Dr. Salisu Garba, on behalf of the National Project Coordinator. The event was held at Reverton Hotel, Lokoja, and attended by guest-participants from Lagos State.

Remarking, Chief Onoja appreciated the World Bank in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for the support Mission geared towards ensuring adequate utilization of resources and implementation of extant programs of APPEALS.

He said although Kogi State may not be the highest internally revenue-generating State among the 6 participating states, it is not taking its eyes off the ball through appreciative successes in enhancing the agricultural productivity of small and medium-scale farmers whilst improving value addition along priority value chains of rice, cashew, and cassava.

In their varied remarks, Kogi APPEALS Project Coordinator, Dr. Sanni Abdullahi Ozomata, State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. David Apeh, and MD, State Agricultural Development, Mal. Bello Ogirima, scored the Project high in Kogi State courtesy of the inspiring support granted it by Governor Yahaya Bello. Dr. Ozomata said the Project has over 3,490 direct beneficiaries with activities ranging from production to processing, and infrastructural support.

On his part, Dr. Salisu Garba stressed that the objective of the visit is to conduct a review of components of the Project for beneficiary states whilst developing a detailed progress report of field visits, observations, discussions, and recommendations.

Also in attendance was the State Deputy Chief of Staff, Hon. Sunday Faleke, State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatima Buba, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, among others.