The Delta State Government has said it is set to unlock a $750 million World Bank–assisted, performance-based initiative aimed at easing the business environment in the state, particularly in agribusiness, through the implementation of the Framework for Responsible Investment in Land-Intensive Agriculture (FRILIA).
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori on Thursday inaugurated a 10-man Steering Committee on FRILIA, as part of efforts to position the state to meet requirements for accessing the funding support.
The governor, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme, also chairman of the committee, performed the inauguration in Asaba, the state capital. He explained that “FRILIA was conceptualized to facilitate ease of doing business in Delta State, particularly agribusiness.”
Oborevwori stressed that “agricultural development remains a key priority of the Federal Government,” adding that the framework would help attract responsible investments while protecting host communities and land users.
While presenting the eight-point Terms of Reference for the committee, the governor charged members to “promote transparency in land acquisition and resettlement for large-scale agribusiness investment.”
He further directed the committee to “promote the application of inclusive agriculture, agricultural production models” and to “promote and safeguard measures against the dispossession of tenure rights holders.”
The committee was also tasked to “monitor the application of compensation standards and promote environmental sustainability in the utilization of land for agri-business investment.”
In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Val Areyinka, and the Director-General of the Delta State Investment Development Agency, Anthony Elekeokuri, disclosed that “FRILIA is a $750 million World Bank-assisted programme available to the state if effectively implemented.”
According to them, the World Bank facility is a performance-based financial support scheme that can only be accessed upon meeting clearly defined benchmarks set by development partners.
Also inaugurated was a 20-man Technical Committee to provide expert and technical support to the Steering Committee, alongside a six-member Grievance and Redress Committee to handle land-related complaints and disputes arising from agribusiness investments.
