World Bank begins 5th implementation support mission on APPEALS project

From Juliana Agbo, Abuja

World Bank has commenced the 5th Implementation Support Mission (ISM) of the Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Support (APPEALS) Project, online across all Project Implementation Units (PIUs).

The implementation support which commenced on June 8, 2020, will end on June 11, 2020.

This was made known in a press statement issued to journalists by its National Communication Specialist, Mrs Aishat A. Onusi.

Objective of the bi-annual support mission led by World Bank Senior Agriculture Economist and Task Team Leader of the Project – Dr. Adetunji Oredipe; and coordinated by the National Project Coordinator – Mr. Mohammed Sani Jobdi, is to assess the overall implementation progress of the APPEALS Project.

Read Also: World Bank: Virus pandemic impact reducing

According to the statement, “An overview of the APPEALS Project from the last Implementation Support Mission held in December, 2019 will be highlighted during the 4-day mission,  while implementation progress made across the five components of the Project since the last Mission would be presented and discussed.

A draft Aide Memoire will be prepared and discussed with the Government of Nigeria, at the end of the Mission.

Other participants taking part in the virtual mission include the World Bank team; APPEALS National Coordinating Office and all PIUs of the six participating states; Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Federal Ministry of Finance; Ageic ministry Projects Coordinating Unit, PCU and other stakeholders.

APPEALS is a six-year project of the Federal Government of Nigeria, initiated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and supported by the World Bank.

It is being implemented in six participating states of Cross River, Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Kogi, and Lagos States and is expected to close in 2023.

The Project aims to enhance the agricultural productivity of small and medium-scale farmers and to improve value addition along the priority value chains in participating states.