Federal Government has concluded plans to employ no fewer than 1200 graduates through what it termed ‘Graduate Employment Scheme/ Farm Settlement Scheme.
Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu discloser this during the signing of contract agreement between River Basin Authorities (RBDAs) and Songhai Nigeria Partnership Limited on the establishment of Songhai model initiative, an integrated agricultural scheme.
According to him, the farm schemes which would be located at the 109 senatorial districts across the country would help to enhance the capacity of the RBDAs to complement rural infrastructure and advance agricultural support services.
He said “These centers would be along the Songhai Farm settlement style, exploring the public private partnership model in ownership and financing while the RBDAs will be the primary delivery vehicles. “The main objective of this scheme is massive job creation for the youth with a year round agricultural production and other value chain activities such as processing, storage, markets, e-commerce. Each of these farm centers will have a minimum of 50 graduates amounting to about 1200 graduate employees nationwide.”
He clarified that the scheme was not in any way out to compete with the ministry of agriculture, but was established to complement development activities in the agricultural sector.
Adamu further directed all heads of RBDAs to “take charge and bring up a blueprint and a step-by-step approach for the implementation of this laudable program whose output shall include increase tonnage of food production, generate employment and manage the available water resources using best practices for integrated rural development.”
The Secretary to the State Government of Adamawa and board member Songhai Nigeria Partnership, Engr. Umar Bindir, stressed that the initiative would enhance capacity to attain sustainable development in the country through enhanced production of the RBDAs.
Source: National Mirror