By Stanley Onyekwere
The Lead Environmental and Social Safeguard Officer from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Dr. Mbianyor Bakia has conducted a comprehensive familiarization tour and spot check of the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone.
The tour, according to the knowledge management and communication officer of the project, Aisha Abdullahi Yawa, focused on visiting key project sites.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday, Yawa said the sites were located at Paikon- Kore in Gwagwalada Area Council and Karshi grazing reserves, in Abuja Municipal Area council.
She explained that Bakia’s visit underscores the IsDB’s commitment to ensuring environmental and social safety in all the projects of its member countries.
She said: “Accompanying him on the tour were key stakeholders from the project, including the Project Coordinator, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, and the Environmental and Climate Change Officer.
“This diverse team represents the multi-disciplinary approach taken to ensure the project’s success while respecting the environment and local communities.
“The tour included site inspections and discussions with stakeholders to assess the project’s progress and impact.
“A significant part of the visit involved a courtesy visit to the new District head of Paikon Kore, congratulating him on his appointment.”
According to her, the meetings emphasised the project’s commitment to community engagement and the importance of collaboration with local leaders in fostering sustainable development.
She noted that the visits to Paikon Kore and Karshi grazing reserves were to provide a firsthand insight into the project’s impact on the ground.
This, according to her, would encourage more commitment to ensuring that the project not only meets its goals but does so in an environmentally and socially responsible manner.
She added that the FCT’s Special Agro-Industrial Processing zone represents a major step forward in Nigeria’s efforts to boost its Livestock and Dairy value chains, promote economic growth while ensuring sustainable practices.
