Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has disclosed that the State Government has paid N6 Billion Naira as counterpart fund to various Development Partners to aid rapid growth of the State.

Governor Umaru Bago disclosed this when he received Mission Technical Team for the 10th FGN/IFAD Supervision Mission of Value Chain Development Programme on a courtesy call at the government house, Minna.

Governor Umaru Bago reassured the team of maximum cooperation in helping them achieve its aim adding that, the State Government will ensure that all counterpart funds are paid in order to achieve the desired results most especially in the area of food security which the State Government is determined to improve.

The Governor who observed that the production of Shea nuts, cashew and mangoes have not produced the desired result in the State solicited the support of IFAD in changing the narrative .

He described the visit of the team as timely considering the launch of agriculture revolution about to take place in the State.

The Team Lead, Federal Government/ IFAD Joint implementation Supervision Mission of the Value Chain Development Programme, Dr. Samuel Eremie disclosed that the team was in the State to review and access the progress of implementation of IFAD Value Chain Development Programme in the State, identify the challenges with a view to proffering solutions as well as make recommendations.

Dr. Eremie who revealed that Niger State as one of the pioneer States of the programme has been performing remarkably well and called for more support from the State Government to improve on the project which is expected to terminate by the end of December 2024.

He called on the Governor to focus his empowerment programme on youth and rural women whom the IFAD VCDP is targeting so as to improve on their well being.

The team is expected to proceed to Bida where it intends to hold a wrap-up meeting on its findings.

Bologi Ibrahim

Chief Press Secretary

to the Governor of Niger State

18/9/2023.