FG plans $250b local export revenue by 2040, inaugurates Agro Set Up Committee

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By Francis Ogwo

The Federal Government is targetting $250b in export revenue for the country by 2040, through trade investments and agriculture.

This was projected through a constituted 28-member Agro Set-Up Committee set up through the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), with a mandate to revive agricultural production across the country.

This was disclosed through a report by PriceWater Coppers (PwC) report.

According to the report, between 2016 and 2018, the country’s total agriculture exports was driven by sesame seeds, fermented cocoa, beans, cashew nuts, ginger, crude palm kernel oil, soya beans, frozen shrimps and prawns, among other commodities.

Cumulatively, the country earned N0.53 trillion from agriculture export between 2016 and 2018.

In contrast, Nigeria’s total agriculture import bill over the same period stood at N2.39 trillion. As a result, agriculture trade deficit stood at N1.86 trillion. Thus, the country is a net food importer.

In that regards the Committee made up of representatives of the Government MDAs, private sector agro industry technocrats, high flying managers, retired agric related multinational practitioners, agric export logistics experts, agric-based academia, government bureaucracy experts, senior military officers (active and retired) are expected to position country’s agric value chain for improved exports.

The Committee is chaired by Chief Executive Officer of ABX WORLD, Captain John T Okakpu, and has as members; Arch Kabir Ibrahim (AFAN); Brigadier General Kapeh Alwali Kazir (Nigeria Army); Prof. Obiora Edwin Madu (Multimix); Prof. Simon Irtwange (FUAM); Prof Charles Asadu (UNN); Abdulkarim Kaita (Dangote Group); Mudiaga Okumagba (FedEx/Red Star); Lieutenant Colonel Benedict Ugbuji (Nigerian Army); Ifechukwu Anajekwu; Jane Machunga; Ogunfunmilayo Oluwole (NAQS); Ernest Ihedigbo; Eniola Elizabeth; Amede Achingale (AWEP) and Wing Commander Shuaibu Hamza (Rtd).

Others are; Deputy Controller of Customs Suleiman Chiroma (Customs); Dr. Chinyere Akujiobi (FMARD); Idowu-Ogbo Medaiyedu, Esq (FMF)., Kamal Mustapha; Olatunji Lawal; Dr. (Mrs) Gloria Ahmed and Mrs. Hindatu Adbul; Tony Ifeakandu and Alhaji Ismail Tahir.

At the committee’s inauguration on Thursday, June 18, 2020, the Permanent Secretary, FMITI, Dr. Sani-Gwarzo, urged members to work closely with relevant Government Agencies to facilitate the purchase, certification, transportation of agricultural commodities from the farm-gates to the points of exit.

According to him, Nigeria needs a system that can control, facilitate export and promote international acceptance standards of locally produced goods stating that it can only be achieved through synergy between the Ministry, relevant MDAs and private sector.

Gwarzo said: “I want to use this opportunity to welcome the members of the Nigeria Agro Set-Up led by Captain John Okakpu of ABX World.

”As you are aware, the Ministry has the mandate of formulating and implementing policies and programmes to attract investment, boost industrialization, increase trade and exports and develop enterprise.

”In line with the diversification agenda of the current Government, the Ministry is very pleased to note that the Committee will serve as a reference point for coordinating activities that will fast-track the agriculture export business in Nigeria.

”The Reference Point comprising public officials and private sector representation from the six geo-political zones of the country will work in collaboration with relevant Government Agencies to facilitate the purchase, certification, transportation of agricultural commodities from the farm-gates to the points of exit.

”Nigeria needs a system that can control, facilitate our export and entrench international acceptance standards. This can only be achieved through synergy between the Ministry, relevant MDAs and private sector.

“After the inauguration, the Ministry in tandem with the members of the Committee will develop a suitable terms of reference (TOR) for the Committee.

“Also, a work plan of 5-10 years with targets and timelines of delivery will be developed to boost production for sustainability purpose.

”This is a very welcome development as it would aid in developing agricultural commodities export, thereby generating more jobs and foreign exchange.

He stated that the Secretariat for the Committee shall be domiciled in the Ministry (CED) for easy coordination, monitoring and evaluation purposes.

While responding on behalf of the Committee members, the Chairman, Captain Okapku, said that they will work assiduously towards the set goal, which is to recognise the need to promote and encourage interest of agriculture in Nigeria.

He said that they will work vigorously towards inculcating in the youths, a sense of patriotism and nationalism, serving the immediate community and other countries with agricultural produce, which will compete favourably in international markets and to promote and educate the generality of Nigerian farmers on the best practices of agriculture.

”Major areas in the Committee’s agenda are to reinvigorate a broad national agricultural activity across the land and to reposition the industry as a veritable source of massive youth employment.

”The Committee will also coordinate and galvanise agro exporters in Nigeria to a well-organised, highly informed and strategically positioned group in export and related matters.

“We are also working towards the reduction of high export tariffs and encourage government and allied agencies to provide incentives for agro exporters in Nigeria,” he said.

Part of the mandates of the committee is to work towards the full take-off of the commodity exchange market to curtail further inflation of prices and to inculcate export ideas into poverty alleviation programmes

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