By Abdullahi Lukman
The Federal Government has refuted claims by the National Assembly North East Caucus that the region was excluded from the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme, stating that the North East is fully included in the second phase of the initiative.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, alongside Minister of State for Agriculture, Dr. Sabi Abdullahi, addressed the matter at a press briefing in Abuja on Saturday.
Kyari clarified that the SAPZ programme is being implemented in phases, and three North East states—Gombe, Borno, and Bauchi, have already qualified for the first tranche of Phase 2.
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“The overall directive of Mr. President is that all states must be included, though this is to be done in phases,” Kyari said, arguing, “It is not correct to claim the North East was completely excluded.”
He argued further, “Expressions of interest were received from 27 states, but only 10 met the eligibility criteria, including three from the North East.”
The Minister appealed to the North-East National Assembly Caucus to urge the governors of Taraba, Yobe, and Adamawa states to re-engage with the programme and meet the necessary requirements to be included in subsequent tranches of Phase 2.
Kyari also highlighted ongoing agricultural interventions in the region, including support for 8,000 wheat farmers in Gombe through subsidised inputs, the establishment of 120 farmer empowerment centres, and broader initiatives such as the ACReSAL project and the IFAD-supported VALUE-CHAIN – NORTH PROJECT.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to inclusive development, Kyari stated, “From the plains of the North-East to the riverine belts of the South-South, our agenda is one of shared prosperity, food security, and national development under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
