Mercy Corps want five govs to create platform for investors to unlock opportunities in northeast
By Ladi Dapson, Maiduguri
The Country Director of Mercy Corps, Ndubisi Anyanywu has urged the governments of Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, and Bauchi states to unlock opportunities that would create an enabling environment for investors to thrive in the Northeast region.
Anyanywu stated this while unveiling the agricultural business environment, on (Tuesday), at the Rural Resilience Activity (RRA) partnership day event held in Maiduguri, Borno state.
The partnership day was organized by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity and other development partners.
According to him, RRA’s objectives are to create competitive markets, and rally investors with financial institutions to reinvigorate the various economic sectors in the region.
He said despite the investment challenges in the five states, the region presents opportunities in various economic sectors, particularly in the agricultural value chains to boost employment and food security.
According to him, the initiatives focus on modernizing farming practices.
He assured the participants from the industrial and banking sectors, and agricultural business firms that advanced technologies will be introduced by providing access to formal finance and credit facilities.
“These are to enhance farmers’ productivity to contribute to economic growth and development in the agricultural and livestock sectors,” said the Country Director.
He said a significant area of socio-economic potential lies in agribusiness, with the region’s production capacity offering opportunities for increased food production.
“Mercy Corps and other development partners are working on the region’s frontlines to create a future of possibility where everyone can prosper in the various sectors of the economy.
“Our mission is to alleviate suffering, poverty, and oppression by helping people build secure, productive, and just communities,” adding that they are committed to create global change through local impart in the agricultural sector.
He, however, listed the numerous challenges that hold back agro-business potentials to include insecurity, climate change, and other drivers of vulnerability in the six targeted states in the northeast.
Anyanywu warned that these are the challenges that have no single solution or actor to overcome them alone.
However, numerous challenges hold back these potentials, including insecurity, Besides, he added that it requires strategic and tactical partnership among the state governments, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and organized private sector (OPS).
“They are the ones to unlock the untapped potentials in the region by fostering long-term sustainability and positive socio-economic change,” he said.
The RRA themed: “Facilitating Trade and Private Sector Investments in Borno State: A Pathway to Resilience, Economic Recovery, and Growth,” was to woo investors and stimulate economic development in Borno state.
Governor Babagana Zulum, who was represented by Dr. Mairo Mandara, Chief Technical Advisor to Borno State Government on Humanitarian Coordination, assured that the state government is committed in the implementation of the 25-year development plan, as it contains most of the objectives of developing the state in the various sectors.
Muhammed Yusufari, DG, Northeast Governors’ Forum assured the readiness of regional governors to provide relevant resources and enable environment to the investors to blooming.
He reiterated that federal government and regional governors are working hard to ensure the region sustains peace atmosphere investors especially in the area of agriculture and modern mechanized farming.
A six-member panel of experts was moderated by Olga Petryniak, Senior Director, Africa Resilience Programs – Mercy Corps, including Ayodeji Balogun, Group Chief Executive Officer of AFEX; Associate Prof. Sherrif Mohammed Ibrahim, Expert Islamic Finance; Oyewale Ibitoye CEO of Premier Seed Nigeria; Mohammed Isyaku, Managing Director of Gerawa Rice Mills; Laminu Bulama, DG of Borno State Investment Promotion Council and Aliyu Samalia, Agronomist and Agriculture Development Experts.
The panelists said that critical roles have to be played in the banking, seed production, rice, and wheat milling firms in boosting the various economic sectors, particularly in agricultural production, trade, and commerce.
Anyanyu stated this while unveiling the agricultural business environment, on (Tuesday), at the Rural Resilience Agricultural (RRA) partnership event held in Maiduguri, Borno state.
