Enugu agrees to revamp Songhai agric scheme

Enugu State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Tribu Ltd. and Songhai Regional Centre to revamp and develop Songhai Enugu Agro Industrial project.

Gov. Peter Mbah said on Tuesday in Enugu that the partnership would breathe new life into Enugu Songhai Integrated Farm, boost food production and create jobs for the state’s teeming youths.

Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia said the project established in 2013 had remained incomplete and abandoned.

“So as part of this administration’s commitment to rehabilitate moribund assets, the state government has approved this joint venture with Tribu Ltd and Songhai Regional centre to reactivate, rehabilitate and operationalise the farm to optimal performance

“We carefully drafted MoU in collaboration with all parties, especially the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice to ensure full legal compliance and a robust governance framework,” he said.

Mbah explained that the state would be providing the enabling environment, clear land use framework and strategic oversight to deliver sustainable and scalable impact in line with the state policy objectives.

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According to the governor, Tribu Ltd. will serve as financier and investors by mobilising the capital and resources necessary to realise the project.

“Songhai Regional Centre will contribute the expertise, capacity building and an advisory service to implement best practices across farming processes and all the value chain components.

“The project will create a 25-hectare training and incubation centre to empower youths and women with leadership, technical and entrepreneurial skills,” he said.

The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-industrialisation, Mr Patrick Ubru, added that the project was state government’s commitment to food security, job creation and sustainable agriculture.

The Founder of Songhai Regional Centre, Rev. Fr. Godfrey Nzamujo, said through project, the organisation would harness opportunities the farm would offer to transform the state.

On his part, the representative of Tribu Ltd., Mr Nnamdi Ozor, said the project would discourage youths from traveling abroad as it would afforded them the needed opportunities and reduce importation of certain produce into the country. (NAN)