Edith CHUKU
The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called on the chairmen of the state’s eight local government areas to align with his administration’s drive to revitalize agriculture, enhance food security, and create jobs.
Speaking during a meeting with the council chairmen at Government House in Yenagoa on Monday, Diri emphasized his administration’s commitment to large-scale farming across communities, describing agriculture as a cornerstone of his development agenda.
The Bayelsa helmsman who identified agriculture as a major pillar of his administration’s agenda, also spoke of the need to explore the state’s potential in the sector and enhance its value chain for job and wealth creation thereby diversifying the state’s economy.
He tasked the chairmen to work closely with relevant ministries such as Agriculture and Natural Resources, Marine and Blue Economy, Lands and Survey and that of Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs to establish demonstration farms under the supervision of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
The Bayelsa governor particularly charged the heads of the third tier of government to identity crops that they had comparative advantage as well as go into vegetables, fruits, aquaculture and poultry production.
He equally directed the council chairmen to establish personal farms while supporting local farmers by serving as off-takers of their produce to enhance food production.
He emphasised the need to revive existing farms as well as acquire large expanse of land towards actualising the government’s vision and make lasting impact in the sector.
His words: “Now we are working with the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and they are establishing Fish Terminals, beginning with Bayelsa State. We want to see how far that will go.
“So, we are looking at how from one fish terminal, all our local governments will also have fish terminals as we project into the future.
“I already directed all chairmen to own farms and maybe fish farms. Like I said, fishing is compulsory for all of you in all our local government areas.
“I want to see government officials involved in farming so that you are giving what you already have. The next time I will meet with you, I want to hear about the farms that you own.”
In separate remarks, the council chairmen, Tariye Leilei (Kolokuma/Opokuma), Jeremiah Golden (Ogbia), Alice Tangi (Sagbama), Bulodiseyi Ndiwari (Yenagoa), Target Segibo (Southern Ijaw) and Isaac Onniye (Ekeremor) assured that they would establish demonstration farms and implement government’s vision.
They also spoke about their plans, the challenges and what they were doing individually and as chairmen to revive and boost food production in their areas.
The chairmen lauded the governor’s vision for agriculture and food security in the state.
