The South-West Development Commission (SWDC) has launched the ‘Transformed Communities’ (TransComs) project to support clusters of contiguous farming communities through coordinated improvements in essential infrastructure, small-scale agro-processing, and skills development across the six states of the South-West.
At a meeting with FTID Executive Director, Prof. Banji Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, the SWDC Executive Director for Commercial and Environmental Development, Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle, confirmed that the project remains a priority for the commission.
Ibikunle pointed out that despite the South-West being Nigeria’s leading economic region, wide disparities persist between major urban centres and the rural communities where food production occurs.
He explained that these rural areas continue to face infrastructure gaps and limited market access.
Discussing the project’s design, Ibikunle has stated, “The TransComs is conceptualised to provide essential infrastructures that will ease farmers’ activities, attract agro-processing industries, facilitate market access, provide enterprise support and skills development, especially for youths.
The initiative encourages community participation and local ownership, holding potential for measurable outcomes rather than isolated or short-term interventions.”
The rollout has been expected to proceed in phases, starting with pilot communities before scaling across the six states in the region based on readiness and resource availability.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the SWDC, Dr Charles Diji Akinola, described the initiative as one of the commission’s flagship projectswilltransform agriculture in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that TransComs has supported the commission’s broader mandate to drive industrial development and job creation.
Akinola added, “Transformed communities are expected to contribute to stronger rural incomes, improve access to basic services, and build more resilient local economies across the South-west.”
Source: This Day Live
Image Credit: Tribune Online
