Engr.-Suleiman-Adamu
From Dianabasi Effiong, Ogoja
The Federal Government is planning to appropriate more funds for the development of irrigation infrastructure in the 2017 budget.
The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, stated this in Ogoja at the flag-off of the Youth/Graduate Empowerment Scheme.
The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu, stated this in Ogoja at the flag-off of the Youth/Graduate Empowerment Scheme.
He said that government was already committed to the complete overhaul of the structure of the economy largely been dependent on crude oil for decades.
Adamu said River Basin Development Authorities in the country are being re-energised to support government’s objective to exploit land and water resources for food security and economic prosperity.
The Minister who said that the scheme would be extended to the 109 Senatorial Districts of the country, added that it would reflect the Songhai Integrated Farm Model.
He said the Ministry also developed a quick-win interventions plan to build institutional capacity, maximise operation and output of the river basin development authorities and create jobs,
Adamu said River Basin Development Authorities in the country are being re-energised to support government’s objective to exploit land and water resources for food security and economic prosperity.
The Minister who said that the scheme would be extended to the 109 Senatorial Districts of the country, added that it would reflect the Songhai Integrated Farm Model.
He said the Ministry also developed a quick-win interventions plan to build institutional capacity, maximise operation and output of the river basin development authorities and create jobs,
He said that these would be actualised through irrigation farming and aquaculture under the Youth/Graduate Empowerment Scheme.
The Minister also praised the youths and graduates farmers at the Ogoja Irrigation Project, adding that the scheme would continually engage selected participants in batches of 50.
The Minister also praised the youths and graduates farmers at the Ogoja Irrigation Project, adding that the scheme would continually engage selected participants in batches of 50.
He said that beneficiaries would be trained in various sustainable agricultural activities including crop farming, Aquaculture, Dairy farming, animal husbandry and food processing.
In his remarks Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River said his administration would continue to empower the youths and graduate farmers to achieve their potentials in agriculture.
In his remarks Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River said his administration would continue to empower the youths and graduate farmers to achieve their potentials in agriculture.
He said that government’s gesture was intended to reduce graduate unemployment and youth restiveness
Ayade, who was represented by his Deputy Prof. Ivara Esu, said the state government had would reactivate the Banzara Rice Mill to assist rice farmers in the processing of their yields.
He said the state government was impressed at the giant strides of the Cross River Basin Development Authority especially in the area of irrigation, fish farming and management of water resources.
Earlier, the Managing Director Mrs Eta Eyo Ita said the Ogoja Irrigation Project, conceived in the 80’s and developed mainly through direct labour covered 168-hectares.
Earlier, the Managing Director Mrs Eta Eyo Ita said the Ogoja Irrigation Project, conceived in the 80’s and developed mainly through direct labour covered 168-hectares.
According to her the project is designed to irrigate 125 hectares of land with 211 farmers and nine multipurpose cooperative societies.
Ita said the Ogoja community, known for rice farming, was, however, challenged with lack of rice mill and a de-stoning plant.
She said the absence of these facilities caused farmers to travel as far as Abakilike in Ebonyi to process their yields.
Ita said the organization would set up a 15 to 20 tones processing mill at the Project site under the Public Private Partnership arrangement involving graduates and youths of the area.
She said the mill which would lead to a value chain system in compliance with the Songhai model.
Ita said the authority was presently collaborating with the NYSC in the State with a view to training Corp Members and unemployed youths in fisheries, bottle water production and farm management.
Rita Ayim, the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Area said her council would support and encourage the scheme that took youths off the street and provided employment for young graduates.
Rita Ayim, the Chairman of Ogoja Local Government Area said her council would support and encourage the scheme that took youths off the street and provided employment for young graduates.
Emmanuel Ugbe, Chairman of Obudu Local Government Area, who received the Minister and his entourage at Obudu Dam said was impressed by the project. He also lauded the Federal Government’s initiative regarding water supply and the creation of jobs for youths in the area.
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