…Project targets insecurity, unemployment, food security
The first of 15 agro-mechanisation projects planned by the South East Development Commission (SEDC) across the region’s senatorial zones is set for flag-off in Enugu State next week.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of SEDC, Mark Okoye, disclosed this during a site and community engagement visit to Nomeh Unateze in Nkanu East Local Government Area of the state.
Okoye said the commission, established in 2024, spent its first year conducting studies and developing a blueprint for the economic development of the South-East.
He said agro-mechanisation was a major component of the blueprint and was designed to contribute to addressing food insecurity, unemployment and insecurity in the region.
“What we are here for is one of our flagship initiatives, which is called the South East Agro Mechanisation Programme or the South East Agro Development Programme, where we are committing to develop up to 50,000 hectares of land and that will be used for mechanised farming across the region,” he said.
According to him, the visit was to assess the site, engage the community and determine the work required before contractors begin mobilisation.
He said the commission would commence with pilot farms of between 200 and 300 hectares in each of the 15 senatorial zones.
“Because a big part of what we are looking at is how to address food insecurity and unemployment, ensuring that we are producing what we put on the table, we are starting with pilot programmes where we are taking 200 to 300 hectares of farmland across 15 senatorial zones and developing them to standard farms where you not only have cassava, maize, some of our staple crops, but also some cash crops,” Okoye said.
He added that some of the project sites would also include learning and productivity centres.
Okoye said the Enugu project was scheduled for flag-off next week, following an agreement with the state governor, Peter Mbah.
He also projected that the project could attract between N4 billion and N5 billion in additional investment to the area.
The SEDC chief commended President Bola Tinubu for establishing the commission, saying it addressed a long-standing demand for an institution to mobilise resources and coordinate development in the South-East.
He also urged residents of the region to support continued development efforts beyond 2027.
Okoye further disclosed that the commission would soon establish an investment agency to mobilise local and diaspora investments for development across the region.
Also speaking, the media aide to the Enugu State Governor and community leader, Uche Anichukwu, described the agro-mechanisation project as an important development for Nomeh Unateze and the state.
Anichukwu cited the Nenwe-Nomeh-Mburubu-Nara road, with a spur to Oduma, as infrastructure that he said would provide access to markets for the proposed agricultural project.
The Chairman of the Nomeh Unateze Town Union Caretaker Committee, Dr Chukwudi Anyianuka, and other community stakeholders expressed support for the project.
“We are very, very happy. We cannot wait to see it actualised and we promise that we are going to provide everything that is necessary to make sure that this is established,” Anyianuka said.
He commended SEDC for what he described as a methodical approach to regional development, saying the commission had undertaken studies and developed a master plan rather than simply committing funds to development challenges.
He said the initiative could contribute to the economic transformation of the South-East.
The interactive session was attended by members of the traditional council, community leaders and other stakeholders from Nomeh Unateze.
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