Invitation for Expression of Interest by Commercial Banks, Microfinance Banks and Financial Institutions for the Execution of Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP)
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development
FCDA Secretariat, Area 11, Garki Abuja
Invitation for Expression of Interest by Commercial Banks, Microfinance Banks and Financial Institutions for the Execution of Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP)
The Federal Government of Nigeria in an effort to address the rapidly ageing population in the agricultural sector, coupled with persistent youth unemployment, insecurity and the unorganized nature of agricultural markets identified the critical need to change the labour composition of the agricultural sector. Accordingly, the Youth Employment in Agriculture Programme (YEAP) was conceived to support young commercial farmers with specialized entrepreneurial skills to upscale their businesses. The goal is to attain national food security and lay a solid foundation for a more competitive, commercialized and efficient agriculture that will help Nigeria to rapidly diversify the economy and become a global powerhouse in food and agriculture.
(2) To this end, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development launched the National Presidential Initiative on YEAP which will work with the State Governments and Private Sector to promote the emergence of a new generation of farmers thereby creating millions of direct jobs for the youths within the next few years.
(3) YEAP will empower 18,500N-Agropreneurs and 740,000 Market-Oriented Producers from 36 States and the FCT. The 36 States and FCT are to be admitted in batches in the first three (3) years of the programme. Batch 1:12 States (2 States/Zone) + FCT; Batch 2:12 States; and Batch 3:12 States.
(4) The Programme will support each participating State for a period of three (3) years within which the State will prepare a follow-up strategy to sustain the programme. Selection of States will be guided by readiness, priority value chains, existence of skills training centres and participants for trainings.
(5) Accordingly, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development invites interested and eligible Commercial Banks, Micro Finance Banks and Financial Institutions for the Expression of Interest (EOI) as partners to the Programme under the Ministry.
General Qualification Criteria for Submission of Expression of Interest
(6) In order to be considered, interested companies, which must be Nigerian companies, must submit tenders/bid documents accompanied with the following:
(i) Evidence of registration of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Forms; C07,
(ii) Provide detailed Company Profile;
(iii) Detailed evidence of compliance with Pension Act;
(iv) Company Audited Accounts for last three (3) years;
(v) Tax Clearance Certificate verifiable from Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) for Year 2012-2014;
(vi) Evidence of Contribution to Industrial Training Fund (ITF);
(vii) Evidence of VAT Registration and past VAT remittances:
(viii) Letter of Financial Capability and Banking support;
(ix) Evidence of 2-3 similar partnerships undertaken previously or currently being executed;
(x) Details of evidence of past management performance (accredited by the CBN), recovery of funds and relevance for the programme target group;
(xi) Financial Institutions/Development Agencies willingness to commit own funds (50% of loan amount);
(xii) Financial Institutions/Development Agencies willingness to invest in specialized training of their staff and establish an internal agricultural desk; Financial Institutions/Development Agencies willingness to provide acceptable outreach to target group;
(xiv) Any other document(s) to support the qualification of the firm;
(xv) Evidence of Registration with Financial Reporting Council of Nigeria;
(xvi) Only existing Financial Institutions and Development Agencies are eligible to apply; and
(xvii) All the requirements stated in paragraph 6 (i – xvi) shall be enclosed in Technical envelope.
(B) Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI) Documents
The Expression Of Interest (EOI) documents must be submitted in three (3) copies with one (1) original and two (2) copies, in 2 separate sealed envelopes and both sealed in a third envelope marked with the appropriate project title at the top right hand comer and delivered to the address below not later than 12.00 noon on Tuesday 31st March 2015.
Opening of Expression of Interest Documents
The Expression of Interest documents will be opened publicly immediately after the close of submission at 1.00pm on Tuesday 31st of March, 2015 in the MINISTRY’S CONFERENCE ROOM B. All consultants, relevant NGOs and CSOs are invited to witness the exercise.
For clarification, please contact the Procurement Department through this mobile phone number 08186564413.
The Secretary,
Ministerial Tenders Board,
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development,
Ground Floor, Room F001
FCDA Secretariat, Area 11, Garki, Abuja.
Signed
Arc S. T Eshono. FNIA
Permanent Secretary
