The Executive Governor of Benue State, His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, led a delegation to the Ministry of Finance, where the Honorable Minister of State, Finance, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, signed the documents on behalf of the Federal Government.
Dr. Uzoka-Anite explained that SIPC is a Federal Government project designed to provide better conditions for farmers to thrive, including solar powered housing, seedlings, inputs like fertilizers and herbicides, and off-takers who convert produce to secondary products. She revealed that Benue is one of two pilot states, along with Niger State.
Governor Alia committed to providing 100 hectares of land across the state for the program, stating that it aligns with his vision to make farming viable and attractive, and Benue State the Agricultural hub of Africa.
When fully operational, the SIPC will close up the housing deficit in the state, provide free farm seedlings and inputs for Benue farmers, facilitate conversion of produce to secondary products thus eradicating post harvest losses, make farming more viable and attractive thus increasing food security. The SIPC will also and very importantly, assist in resetting willing IDPs within the safe farming communities.
In a statement signed by Chief Solomon Iorpev, Technical Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Media, Publicity, and Strategic Communication, said the SIPC program is domiciled with the Ministry Of Finance Incorporated which holds majority shares in the Nigerian Sovereign Wealth Fund to fund investments.
