President Muhammadu Buhari has commended the Prof. Mohammed Haruna-led National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) for the agency’s continued efforts in revamping the agricultural sector, especially through mechanisation, introduction of research and development (R&Ds) systems and processes to add value to farming in Nigeria.
NASENI is currently implementing a presidential approval to establish six agricultural machineries and equipment development institutes (AMEDI), one in each geo-political zone of the country. This is beside several already fabricated machines and innovations to improve economic activities in the agric sector, including a nationwide project targeted at the refurbishment of tractors and other intervention initiatives aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
While commending NASENI, the president through his Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari said: “The President is appreciating NASENI for the development of agriculture in the country and, also, for NASENI being a shining example of an agency determined to assist the Federal Government to achieve its developmental objectives for the people of Nigeria”.
Over the weekend, Gambari carried out an on-the-spot inspection of ongoing construction works of the new Agricultural Machinery and Equipment Development Institute (AMEDI) – the one for the north-central geo-political zone, located in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The foundation-laying ceremony of the institute was done by Gambari, in stead of President Buhari back in August.
So far, in two months, about three workshops of the institute in Lafia have been fully constructed and the administrative building is also nearing completion. Moved by the speed of work and satisfied with the quality so far, Gambari expressed hope that the institute would be up for commissioning before the administration’s tenure ends next.
According to Gambari, President Buhari’s intent is to ensure food security for Nigerians and foster exportation of food and other agricultural implements to neighbouring African countries.
“President Buhari wants Nigerians to produce what they eat and to eat what they produce, while keeping enough for export.”
While showing Gambari around the complex, the executive vice chairman of NASENI, Prof. Mohammed Haruna, thanked him and the president for the encouragement, enabling environment and support that aided the agency’s execution of it statutory mandate. He said the agency has taken up the challenge of assisting the Federal Government’s plan to promote food security in the country through the speedy completion of the institutes and also design and fabrication of a long list of agricultural process machines – including planters and harvesters – all aimed at making the agricultural sector viable and attractive to investors and farmers alike.
The NASENI boss said AMEDI and other centres will be [speedily] commissioned as soon as construction works are completed.
According to him, President Buhari was inspired by the mandate of AMEDI Mbaise, Imo State and directed NASENI to establish similar institutes in the six geo-political zones of the country.
In a statement by the agency’s deputy director, information, Mr. Olusegun Ayeoyenikan, Haruna said Nigeria is going to witness a genuine agricultural revolution (in farming mechanisation) as soon as these institutes go full stream.
