Executive Order no. 2 of 2023 establishing the framework for responsible and inclusive land-intensive agricultural investment (FRILIA) in Plateau State

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 2 OF 2023 BY THE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU ST A TE AN ORDER ESTABLISHING THE FRAMEWORK FOR RESPONSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE LAND-INTENSIVE AGRICULTURAL INVESTMENT (FRILIA) IN PLATEAU STATE WHEREAS, Plateau State has vast tracts of arable and feitile land constituting about 74% of its total land mass with the potential to produce a wide range of crops, including yams, potatoes, rice, Carrot, Fruits, and Vegetables. Only 30% of its arable land is estimated to be under cultivation. A sizable portion of Plateau land is either communally owned or family-owned. AND WHEREAS, The Plateau State Government plans to build a sustainable agro-based industrial economy with huge potential to benefit from the diversification agenda of the Federal Government through agriculture-led industrialization, which will significantly increase private investments and enhance job creation and revenue generation. Towards this end, land, including its management and use, becomes a game changer and an area of key focus and interest. To achieve the above, the State intends to adopt the Framework for responsible and inclusive land­ intensive Agricultural Investment (FRILIA), which is an adaptation of two international Agreements that Nigeria is a signato1y to, namely: 1. Principles for Responsible Agriculture Investment (RA!), which recognizes that responsible investment in agriculture and food systems can contribute to food security and nutrition and recognition and respect for human 1ights; and 2. Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries, and Forests (VGGT), which, within the context of National Food Security, promotes secure tenure rights and equitable access to land, Fisheries, and forests as a means of eradicating hunger and poverty as well as supports sustainable development and the enhancement of the environment. The Plateau State FRILIA was jointly developed by the State Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development, the Ministty for Lands and Survey, Key Stakeholders, and the World Bank Group as part of the Plateau State Economic Transfo1mation Project (PS TEP). The FRILIA principles will improve the attractiveness of Plateau State for land-based investments globally, facilitate investments that ensure food security, and provide commercial yield for investors. FRILIA also demands new concepts in community mapping, socio-economic analysis, land use, and resettlement that the State will adopt in compliance with global best practices. Page 1 of 2 Further a FRTLIA Steering Committee shall be established and will be responsible for strategic plannin�, oversight, and coordinating the roles of stakeholders; the Steering Co�mittee will comprise FRILIA Champions from the following Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAS). MDA Total No of Representatives Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development 1 Ministry for Lands, Survey & Town Planning 1 Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning l Ministry of Justice I Ministry Environment, Climate Change & I Mineral Development Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy 1 Affairs Ministry of Urban and Physical Planning I Association of Local Government of Nigeria 1 Plateau Investment & Property Development 1 Company (PTPC) Ministry of Housing 1 Ministry of Women Affairs & Social 1 Development Ministry of Finance 1 Ministry of Commerce and Industry 1 Plateau State One-Stop Investment Centre 2 LMU (Land Management Unit) of the Ministry of 2 Agriculture, which is to be transformed into the Agricultural Land Management Ae:encv Total 17 The Plateau State Government, through the Commissioner of Agriculture, will recruit FRILIA Specialist(s) to provide technical support to the Steering Committee towards the implementation of FRILIA in the State. The Technical Committee will conduct detailed planning, data collection, and monitoring of projects. Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM) shall be established to address complaints, conduct investigations, and recommend corrective actions where necessaiy. NOW, THEREFORE, UNDER THE AUTHORITY VESTED IN ME BY THE CONSTITUTION AS THE GOVERNOR OF PLATEAU STATE, I HEREBY ORDER AS FOLLOWS: The Plateau State FRILIA principles, as articulated in the Appendix to this Executive order, should be adopted and serve as a guide for investments that require large parcels of land. Where necessary, the principles will also cover small to medium parcels of land linked to substantial investment. This Executive Order shall 1 � e effect immediate) �\, DATED THIS.... ....... .... OF ................... (;d: ...... 2023 BARR. C eb Manasseh Mutfwang, Governor of Plateau State Page 2 of 2