COTONOU — Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State says his working visit to Cotonou with Vice President Kashim Shettima was aimed at strengthening the implementation of Nigeria’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, SAPZs, programme.
In a post he made on X, the governor said the visit provided “an invaluable opportunity to understudy practical models that are advancing agro-industrial development and economic transformation in the country.”
The delegation inspected the Integrated Textile and Agro-processing Facilities at the Glo-Djigbe Industrial Zone, GDIZ, in Benin Republic.
According to Governor Uzodimma, the inspection “further reinforced my determination to adapt and replicate this successful model across our various agro-processing zones.”
He noted that Imo State is blessed with abundant agricultural produce and vast expanses of fertile arable land.
”With agro-processing zones in Okigwe, Ohaji/Egbema, Ngor Okpala, and other strategic locations, we are well-positioned to harness these immense resources for value addition, increased productivity, and expanded access to both domestic and export markets,” he stated.
The SAPZs programme is a federal government initiative designed to develop agro-industrial hubs that integrate production, processing and marketing to boost food security, create jobs and drive rural economic growth.
Uzodimma, Shettima Understudy Benin’s Agro-Industrial Model In Cotonou
