Agriculture mechanisation: FG’s $1bn programme to provide 2,000 tractors annually, empower 600,000 youths
…Tinubu approves N50,000 uplift grant for 3.6m Nigerian families
…Southern Govs unveil plan to generate 90,000 MW of electricity
The Federal Government has approved a $1 billion agriculture mechanisation programme targeted at setting up 1,000 agro-sector service providers across the country.
The programme, announced at the 142nd National Economic Council meeting on Thursday, will provide tractors to the service providers and create jobs for at least 600,000 youths.
According to Minister of Agriculture, Abubakar Kyari, the programme will deliver a minimum of 2,000 tractors per year for the next five years, boosting agricultural productivity and food security.
He said, “We will have a minimum of 2,000 tractors a year for the next five years and all other aggregation of agricultural commodities is going to be utilised by at least nothing less than 600,000 youths to man these 1,000 service centres.
“We’ll have a minimum of 2,000 tractors a year for the next five years and all other aggregation of agricultural commodities is going to be utilised by at least nothing less than 600,000 youths to man these 1000 service centres. “
Meanwhile, in an unexpected move, President Tinubu attended the 142nd National Economic Council (NEC) meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.
The meeting, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, was expected to discuss the new national minimum wage, but the council did not address the issue.
Instead, President Tinubu announced a plan to provide 2,000 tractors to farmers through a partnership with John Deere and Tata, approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last Monday. The tractors are expected to be delivered before the end of the year, boosting agricultural productivity.
Noting that the elaborate plan will be rolled out as soon as it is feasible, he said the project was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) last Monday.
He spoke of an arrangement with John Deere and Tata to provide 2000 tractors before the end of the year.
According to him, the Greener Imperative Project, which he said is still in the works, is a 950 million euro project that will soon be unveiled. Kyari noted that a deal is being anticipated with Belarus Tractors to supply 2000 tractors per year for the next five years, with 9000 implements and spare parts, among others.
The Agriculture Minister also said that Saudi Arabia has expressed interest in 200,000 metric tons of red meat every year and 1 million tonnes of soya from Nigeria.
“We have already had a meeting with our entrepreneurs and we have come out with a roadmap where we can supply and satisfy that demand.
“We are looking at partnership with foreign governments, not necessarily trying to ask them to come and invest, but asking them what we can produce so that we can sell to you so that we can earn foreign exchange,” he added.
In his remark, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State said that the NEC directed the sub-committee of crude oil theft to provide comprehensive recommendations to end the menace during the next meeting.
He said even though the sub-committee was expected to submit its report during Thursday’s meeting, “it was inconclusive.”
On his part, Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano announced the constitution of the board of the Niger Delta Power Holding, which he said had operated for a long time without a supervising board.
He revealed that it is made up of governors of Borno, Katsina, Imo, Ekiti, Kwara, and Akwa Ibom states representing the different geo-political zones.
The Minister of finance and coordinating minister for the economy, Wale Edun spoke of the activation of the Presidential food systems coordinating unit chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
…Tinubu approves N50,000 uplift grant for 3.6m Nigerian families
In a related development, President Bola Tinubu has approved a significant uplift grant under the National Construction and Household Support Programme, benefiting 3.6 million Nigerian families.
The initiative will provide financial support to 100,000 families in each state, with a disbursement of N50,000 to N100,000 per family over a three-month period.
According to Presidential spokesman Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the grant is set to alleviate economic pressures on households and boost economic growth.
…Southern Govs unveil plan to generate 90,000 MW of electricity
In the same vein, The Southern Governors’ Forum, comprising 17 governors from the South-West, South-East, and South-South regions, has announced plans to generate 90,000 MW of electricity to cater to the power needs of the region’s 90 million residents.
The governors set to achieve this by utilising the rule of thumb of 1,000 MW per 1 million population.
This was contained in a communique signed by all the 17 southern governors.
They have encouraged member states to take advantage of the recent constitutional amendment allowing states to regulate, generate, transmit, and distribute electricity, including exploring renewable energy sources.
Additionally, the governors have called for the consideration of each state’s cost of living and ability to pay the new minimum wage, urging the Federal Government to allow individual states to negotiate with labour unions.
The governors are Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, newly elected Chairman of the Forum, Prof Charles Soludo, governor of Anambra State and Vice Chairman of the group, Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Sen Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Abiodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State, Duoye Diri of Bayelsa, Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, and Pastor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State.
Others are Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, Gov Bassey Otu of Cross Rivers, Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, Lucky Ayedatiwa of Ondo State, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta and Dr Alex Otti of Abia State
In their comprehensive 16-point statement, the Southern Governors Forum called for bolstering fiscal federalism and devolving powers, expressing deep concern over the current practice of issuing mineral licences and conducting explorations without involving state governments.
They highlighted that this approach has led to criminal activities, significant environmental damage, ecological degradation, and a lack of commitment to remediation or revenue sharing for states and the federal government alike.
Emphasising the region’s pivotal economic and industrial role, the governors stressed the urgent need to address inadequate power supply.
They emphasised the recent constitutional amendment empowering states to oversee electricity regulation, generation, transmission, and distribution, advocating for the adoption of renewable energy sources.
Furthermore, the governors resolved to aggressively pursue an energy transition strategy from fossil fuels — such as petrol and diesel — to cleaner alternatives, particularly Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and ultimately Electric Vehicles (EVs).
