March 19, (THEWILL) – Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has commended the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government for signing the $1.1 billion Green Imperative Project (GIP), to boost agricultural productivity and enhance private-sector investment in Nigeria.
The governor, who made the commendation during the signing of the commercial phase of GIP 1 at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, noted that Benue State, as the “Food Basket of the Nation”, was the happiest sub-national entity to witness the agreement’s finalisation.
The Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, quoted the governor as assuring full support for the project’s success, emphasising that “Benue State not only holds the basket but also the food and its surpluses for the nation.”
Earlier, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, stated that his administration prioritises enhancing Nigeria’s food security and agricultural output. He described the GIP as a critical initiative to address current challenges, stressing the need to “synergise existing policies for continuity, leveraging strategic opportunities to drive economic growth and investor confidence.”
The President thanked the Ministers of Agriculture, Finance, Foreign Affairs and Justice, as well as the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, for their roles in the project’s success.
In his remarks, Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete, applauded President Tinubu for concluding protracted negotiations, calling it an honour for Brazil to partner on the GIP. He revealed that seven years of talks with Nigeria focused on securing private and regional development bank funding.
The ambassador added that the project would facilitate the importation of agricultural machinery (e.g., tractors and spare parts), with assembly and repairs in Nigeria using locally trained labour.
The GIP, Africa’s largest agricultural project, aims to develop sustainable, low-carbon farming while boosting efficient and competitive food production.
The $1.1 billion GIP 1 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was signed in 2018. Phase 2 ($4.3 billion) and the $2.5 billion JBS agreement followed during President Tinubu’s 2024 visit to Brazil, totalling approximately $8 billion.
