Business
ADB To Create Agricultural Jobs In Nigeria
The African Development Bank (ADB), says it is determined to take advantage of the opportunities in the agricultural sector to create jobs for the unemployed youths in the country.
The Resident Representative of the bank in Nigeria, Mr Ousmane Dore, disclosed this in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Abuja.
He said that the measure would address the serious problem of youth unemployment in the country.
“ADB’s expected involvement in this field is going to focus around this type of area, which is likely to create more jobs because she (sic) want to boost agriculture for food security.
“But she (sic) want to also make it the engine of job creation for millions of youth who really are not lucky enough to find jobs.
“So, I think we see agriculture as a good way to go forward; it is gonna probably, motivate ADB to finance projects in this particular important sector.”
Dore said agriculture would feature prominently in the bank’s projects for 2012 project because it formed the key component of the Federal Government’s Transformation Agenda.
He added that agricultural transformation should also focus on developing the value chain approach to production.
The resident representative said the bank had embarked on water supply projects in parts of the country and identified Oyo and Cross River states as the beneficiaries.
He also said 80 million dollars had so far been injected into the water and sanitation projects in Yobe and Osun States since 2007, adding that the schemes were still ongoing.
“We have been supporting water supply projects for many years. Some states have benefitted from ADB’s support for this type of project. You can think of some states like Oyo and Cross River where we have initial water supply projects.
“Our portfolio today is engraved in three major water supply projects. One, is the rural water supply and sanitation project in two states, Osun and Yobe, which is ongoing since 2007 for about 80 million US dollars.”
Dore said the 300 million dollars had been allocated to Nigeria in the African Development Fund 12 to assist the country in its development projects.
He emphasised that the bank would use its limited resources to improve the living conditions of the people.