FIC Report (Anambra State) – The Federal Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development, FGN/IFAD, have urged the Anambra State Government to formally adopt recommended Operations and Maintenance, O&M, frameworks for Value Chain Development Programme, VCDP, market infrastructure, feeder roads and other projects to ensure their sustainability.
The National Programme Coordinator, FGN/IFAD VCDP, Dr. Fatima Aliyu, made the call during a one day Policy Dialogue on Institutionalising O&M Frameworks for Market Infrastructure in Awka.
Represented by the Knowledge Management and Communications Advisor, Mrs. Vera Onyeaka Onyilo, Dr. Aliyu recommended budgetary integration, preventive maintenance, training of O&M teams, public private co funding and community early warning systems.
She also urged local government mayors to support the passage of council bye laws establishing Facility Management Committees and protecting VCDP infrastructure from encroachment and neglect.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Ben Odoemena, described VCDP as a gateway to agribusiness and disclosed that the Anambra State Agricultural Strategy Plan would be released in the coming weeks.
He said the state was pursuing agro industrialisation with emphasis on food security, affordability, accessibility and improved nutrition.
The State Programme Coordinator, FGN/IFAD VCDP, Dr. Deborah Onyefulu, said the dialogue was aimed at strengthening ownership, accountability and institutional commitment to sustaining VCDP investments in communities.
She urged stakeholders to move from dialogue to action, from action to ownership and from ownership to sustainability.
Stakeholders at the event also called for the continued sustainability of VCDP, citing its transparency, inclusivity, accountability and strong emphasis on human capacity development.
Ibeneme Maria Nkilimma
Sen Info and Pub Relations Officer
17/8/26
