By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
Preparatory to the full take up of the African Union Development Agency’s intervention, under the New Partnership for African Development (AUDA NEPAD), the Bauchi State office of the AUDA NEPAD has appointed 20 desk officers to over see the implementation of the intervention in their respective communities.
The Bauchi State Coordinator of AUDA NEPAD and Focal Person Dr. Esther Ahmed, while giving an overview of the intervention to the newly appointed desk officers in her office on Tuesday, said that the AUDA NEPAD program is an Agricultural and Agro- Allied intervention aimed at strengthening small holder farmers capabilities, accelerate productive land restoration and combat desertification.
Dr. Ahmed further stated that other goals the intervention will seek to achieve is the promotion of innovative technology to reduce post harvest losses and also maximize food security amid covid-19 pandemic.
“The AUDA NEPAD program is specifically designed to respond to the medium and long term effect of Covid-19 pandemic on the socioeconomic activities in Bauchi State.
“The program will focused on some selected activities that will be implemented on strong agricultural footing towards sustainable development. The activities will include: drip irrigation farming and other irrigation facilities, green house construction and livestock production/husbandry farming, which will be targeted at women and people living with disability (PLWD).
“Other focus areas of the program are tailored around agricultural equipment and infrastructure, post-harvest storage and processing, capacity building of beneficiaries and other stakeholders”, said the state coordinator.
Dr. Esther Ahmed, who also doubles as the State Director General of the Sustainable Development Goals office, informed the LG desk officers that the State Governor, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed is committed to the AUDA NEPAD program, stressing that, “His Excellency has graciously commit to match the counterpart funding in an effort to fast track the implementation of the program”.
The Coordinator then urged the newly appointed LG desk officers of AUDA NEPAD program to support the State in ensuring successful implementation of the program that will enhance the economic status of the less privileged and vulnerable target groups in their localities.
It was also gathered that the Coordinator had held similar meetings with women groups in preparation for the implementation of the program.
Speaking on behalf of the 20 LG desk officers, Mallam Aminu Ningi thanked the State coordinator for having the confidence in them and also reassured her that she wont be disappointed.
“We will do everything humanly possible to see to the success of the program. You won’t be disappointed Ma’am”, said the Ningi desk officer.
Our correspondent reports 5,400 beneficiaries are billed to benefit from the AUDA NEPAD program in Bauchi State. Out of the number, 2,670, representing 55.61 percent comprises males, while 2,310, representing 46.39 percent, comprised of females.