Pres. Buhari Approves N24b For Smart Modular Irrigation Project

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved N24 billion for the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) to help fast-track the implementation of a smart modular irrigation project.

Reacting to the latest development in Abuja, the Executive Vice Chairman of NASENI, Prof. Mohammed Sani Haruna, said the approved funds would also be applied in the development of technologies already acquired by NASENI.

This, he said was achieved by the body’s partnership with an organization in Italy.

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He added that the partnership will facilitate the production of technical science laboratory equipment. This will be for primary and secondary schools as well as tertiary institutions.

While speaking, Prof. Haruna said, “The funding was for the modular irrigation system. We have acquired a 10-hectare farmland on lease in Adamawa State. We will use water from River Benue, where the pilot scheme is starting.

“It’s estimated that based on the technologies to be used. It is possible to have three multi-crop seasons in a year, commencing from October this year.

“Also, the money is for the pumps, structure, farming techniques, farmers, officers, offices that are needed. The vehicles and the administrative management throughout this demonstration farm, using modular irrigation system first model. First model in the sense that this one, we’re drawing water from River Benue, of course, solar powered.”

During his speech, Prof. Haruna said the application of the funds is in some priority projects approved by government.

Furthermore, he stated that the capital components include payment of 15% of the local counterpart funding for three key projects in the power sector; the development and production of solar cells locally; development and production of electric power transformers and high voltage testing laboratory.

In addition, he said: “Now, these are projects with 85% funding support from China. They are part of what were approved and being implemented in the 2021/2022 Borrowing Plan.

“That is number one and out of the $48,879,103, representing 15% of what Nigeria is paying as the 15% counterpart funding. It is based on the money remitted to NASENI in the first and third quarters. A total of $23, 928, 063 had been remitted in these two quarters.

“The third component is the development of skills development centres in six geopolitical zones. The fourth component is application of this fund in the development of three out of 12 new centres. These centres are also approved by the President for different states of the federation.

“It, of course, includes continue research and development, reverse engineering and assembly of some military equipment in collaboration with two different private companies, that is, Nigeria Machine Tools Limited, Oshogbo and PROFORCE, manufacturer of some military hardware, based in Ogun State, and of course, completion of the remodeled NASENI headquarters…”