The Federal Government has reiterated its commitments to adopting responsible and inclusive land-based investment principles in the agricultural Sector. This is in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to improve the ease of doing business, deliver on food security, ensure social and environmental sustainability.
The National Programme Coordinator, State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme, Dr. Ali Mohammed, reiterated this on Monday in Abuja at the commencement of a workshop on the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agriculture (FRILIA) being jointly organized for Sub-nationals by the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF).
The SABER Programme is a 3-year (2023-2025) $750 million programme for results that seeks to incentivise States to implement critical reforms aimed at improving efficiency in land administration, deepening the regulatory framework for private investment in fiber optic deployment, boosting services provided by investment promotion agencies and public private partnership units, among others.
Disbursements will be on-lent to the States upon annual verification by an Independent Verification Agent (IVA) that a State has successfully implemented the associated reform. FRILIA is one of the many reforms advocated by the programme.
Mohammed lamented that although food production has been increasing steadily, attaining food security remains a major challenge, noting that while the government has intervened in terms of making financing and inputs available, more systemic issues around land administration and compliance with best practice standards remain an issue.
“As we seek out increased investment in the Sector, we must ensure that impediments to doing business are removed and that investors adhere to principles and guidelines that safeguard the rights of host communities. They should also employ operating models that have the least impact on livelihood and the environment. It is our belief that the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agriculture (FRILIA) provides the roadmap for attaining these objectives”.
The National Programme Coordinator further disclosed that in order to provide the right enabling environment, the Federal Ministry of Finance (FMF) through the World Bank-assisted State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Program, has engaged the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to assist in providing a suite of technical assistance services including Advisory, Guidelines, Peer Learning Sessions and Technical Workshops.
He highlighted that the financing from the program seeks to reward States with over $4.5 million each for successfully setting up the requisite Governance Systems, Guidelines and Piloting Investment(s) in line with Established Principles. “This reform will also strategically position your States for local and Foreign Investment, hence, creating more jobs and eventually, propel the much desired Economic Growth”.
In his remarks earlier, the Director General of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), Mr. Asishana Okauru disclosed that under the State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) Programme, NGF is working collaboratively with the Federal Ministry of Finance and the World Bank to deliver advisory and capacity building support to States.
Mr. Okauru observed that Land-based investment in Nigeria has been marred by various challenges ranging from lack of clarity on governance mechanisms; weak administrative support systems for stakeholders; poor data; little or no recognition for inclusion, gender equality and cultural values; poor engagement with host community; disproportionate compensation and resettlement for persons displaced.
“These have impacted negatively on the cost of doing business, agriculture value chain, livelihood, environment and ultimately, economic development”.