NWAFOR POLYCARP
16 MAY 2017
By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA—THE Federal Government said foreign exchange revenue from agric produce export will be used to pay the nation’s debts.

Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, stated this while considering calls made to commence second phase of the West Africa Agricultural Productivity Programme, WAAPP, in the country.

Ogbeh also expressed optimism that the debt burden of the country could be drastically reduced through generation of foreign exchange from food exportation.

He said: “A portion of any loan we take now will be dedicated to encouraging agricultural production and exportation of products grown by young people and women.

“We just have to earn more foreign exchange because we must pay our debts. According to statistics, we are spending 66 per cent of all our tax revenues on servicing debts.

Audu Ogbeh
“If we are servicing debts and not paying the principal, in another 10 years, this country will be in such debts that will make us to be facing major embarrassment.

“So, we will take part of our loans and invest it in agricultural projects that young people pursue for exports, so that we can earn both foreign exchange and Naira. The rest of the loans will go into training of youths and promotion of our produce.”

Meanwhile, the Minister, who also commended the results achieved in the first phase of WAAPP, said the World Bank was working assiduously to ensure the commencement of the second phase of the programme.

He said: “The World Bank is preparing for the next phase but this time around, the input from the ministry will be stronger.

“They (World Bank) did quite well but there were duplications in our programmes; we intend to streamline them now.”

The objectives of WAAPP has been on transforming West African agriculture by boosting agricultural productivity and its sustainability, reducing hunger and improving nutrition as well as creating jobs and supporting collaboration across borders.

The programme has 13 participating West African countries, including Nigeria, Republic of Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.

Ogbeh, told newsmen in Abuja that the new policy would boost agricultural production, while facilitating efforts to improve exports of agricultural commodities.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/well-use-food-exports-pay-debts-fg/

Ooook.

IgbosAreGreat:

Same thoughts came to my mind.

What is it they intend to export?

They intend to invest the loans in boosting the agric. sector, diversify the economy and generate more forex?

it is not a bad idea actually. The idea in itself is reasonable and most sound thinking people have been calling for such undertaking for long. However, before taking the loan the nigerian people should request realistic financial projections to see if the idea and venture is worth the loan. In the same vein, safeguarding and strong unbiased anti corruption measures and policies are to be implemented and sustained upfront, BEFORE taking the loan. It is easy to use such slogan to fool the people and the loans end up in the pockets of a few.

LoJ:
What is it they intend to export?

Groundnut and yam.