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…as 2,100 constituents get empowerment items
Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The House of Representatives member representing Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, has disclosed that an agro processing and export free trade zone would be established by the Federal Government in the federal constituency.
Isiaka, who disclosed this at the empowerment programme for 2,100 constituents held in Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, equally said that the Federal Government has allocated funds for a feasibility and technical viability study on the proposed Agro Processing and Export Free Trade Zone, in the 2025 budget.
He informed the people that while work is ongoing to establish the project through legislation, a proactive step of preparing the groundwork for its implementation through the viability study has also been taken.
Isiaka, who is the House Committee Chairman on National Planning and Economic Development, lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support for the project, noting that “the strategic location of the Yewa North/Imeko-Afon Federal Constituency, with its vast arable land and proximity to international borders, positions us perfectly to become an agric processing and export powerhouse.”
He explained that the project, when established, would mark the beginning of the economic revolution that will create thousands of jobs, establish value chains, attract investments, and position the federal constituency as a significant contributor to national food security and foreign exchange earnings.
Speaking on the empowerment programme he facilitated in collaboration with National Productivity Centre, Abuja, the House of Reps member noted that the programme marked a significant milestone in his capital development agenda.
He added that the empowerment programme had been specifically packaged for over 2,000 constituents to benefit from various intervention packages designed to enhance their economic self-reliance and productivity.
He listed the empowerment packages to include business support grants of N100,000 each for 1,101 entrepreneurs across the federal constituency; agricultural support in the form of cash, equipment, and inputs for 177 farmers dedicated to enhancing food security in our communities and distribution of fertilizers and other critical farming inputs to at least 300 farmers to boost crop yields and agricultural productivity.
“Others include vocational equipment including sewing machines, IT equipment, and soap-making tools, alongside cash grants for at least 150 young people pursuing skills development, essential business tools including deep freezers, generators, hair dryers, grinding machines, and sewing machines for at least 150 small business owners, mobility enhancement through the provision of 5 tricycles and 25 motorcycles to facilitate transportation, logistics, and delivery services”, the lawmaker stated.
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While noting that agriculture is the backbone of any economy and access to essential equipment is crucial for its growth, Isiaka said that 7-man Agricultural Equipment Management Committee would be launched to oversee the management and maintenance of farm equipment, ensuring availability to local farmers at subsidized rates.
“While not profit-driven, its primary goal is to sustain these resources for long-term use. Initially, the committee will manage tools like shredders, palm fruit harvesters, and sprayers, with plans to expand the inventory over time”, he pointed out.
Isiaka, however, informed the beneficiaries of the empowerment items not to see them as handouts, but strategic investments in their potential tools to help them build better futures, families and communities.
He emphasized that the interventions have been carefully selected to address specific needs and create sustainable economic opportunities.
On his legislative duties, the House of Reps member disclosed that he has actively been involved in legislative activities that have directly impacted positively on his constituency.
“I sponsored several critical motions, including the lifting of the ban on the sale of petroleum products within 20km of border towns on July 11, 2023, I advocated for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency on the development of border communities in Nigeria.
On the legislative front, I have sponsored bills including a bill for an act to establish an Agro-Processing Free Trade Zone in Yewa North-Imeko Afon, which had its first reading on July 25, 2023, a bill for an act to establish a Federal College of Education (Technical), a bill for an act to establish the Federal Institute of Technical and Vocational Education in Imeko, Ogun State, which has successfully passed second and third readings.
“Beyond formal legislative activities, I have advocated for education improvement, including the unveiling of our Education Intervention Plan on February 13, 2024, calling for an increase in the education budget to 15% and urging that the sub-allocation to technical education be upgraded to no less than 30% of education allocation during the Polytechnics Committee Inauguration on November 13, 2023, among others”, he stated.
Earlier, two blocks of six classrooms facilitated by Isiaka were inaugurated at the Ansar-Ud-Deen Primary School 1&3, Ayetoro.
Speaking at the unveiling of the classrooms, the Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, commended the lawmaker for facilitating the construction of the new classrooms, submitting that Isiaka’s efforts were in tandem with Governor Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s various interventions in repositioning the education sector in the state.
