AGRIC REVOLUTION: Bayelsa To Produce Own Rice

The Bayelsa State Government says its massive investment in agriculture would yield rice sufficiency for domestic consumption before the end of the year.

The Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo stated this on Friday at a meeting with traditional rulers from Nembe Local Government Area in Government House, Yenagoa.

According to the Deputy Governor , the state is expecting about 25, 000 bags of rice through the various farms cultivated across different parts of the state.

He said, “the anchor borrowers and out grower programmes are very key to food security. This year,we are not going to buy rice to share during the Christmas. We will eat our own locally produced rice. We are targeting about 25000 bags of rice to be locally processed. We are working to see how we can get local Mills to partner with us to mill the rice.”

Senator Ewhrudjakpo pointed out that government’s intervention in the agriculture sector is not only in crops production, but also in fisheries and poultry.

According to him , the present administration is taking proactive measures to forestall the break down of law and order as experienced in some parts of the country.

To achieve that, he said a new security architecture would be put in place which would entail a collaboration between the youths who will be in charge of surveillance in the communties, the traditional rulers and Community Development Committees who will be in charge of a register for visitors

He said as custodians of the people’s culture and tradition, the responsibility lies on them to maintain peace in their domains.

Explaining the agricultural policy thrust of the Prosperity Government, Commissioner for Agriculture, Chief David Ayibatonye Alagoa, stated that the focus is on food security and mechanized farming.

According to the Commissioner, the aim was to ensure the production of food that would be sufficient for the consumption of residents of the state, adding that the state is currently depending on food produced from neighbouring states with the attendant high cost

Hon Alagoa said, “what we are trying to do is to get extension offices and workers in all constituencies. The idea is that they are nearer the farmers. The traditional rulers will be able to identify the farmers. Inputs and all the necessary assistance will be given, so that that will generate more food within our communities. This will bring substantial food security to the state.

He further said the government is ready to partner with communties which have land, adding that government would provide inputs for farming and harvesting, but would not buy or acquire the lands .

Hon Alagoa also stated that the Anchor Borrowers and AADS schemes currently has 3500 rice farmers participating across the state which aims to improve rice production in the.

Other areas, he said people could key into for investment are cattle rearing , related activities and palm oil production.

He added, “in summary, what the prosperity government is trying to do in agriculture, is to take all the communties along. We are adopting a system that is participatory and reaches out to the people”

Summarizing the various submissions his colleagues who spoke earlier, Commissioner for Information Hon Ayiba Crowther Duba, stated that the government is people oriented, hence has embarked on different projects and programme to improve the lives of the citizenry.

He assured the people that the resources of the state are being judiciously used for the betterment of all Bayelsans, and called on the traditional rulers to support and also maintain peace in their communties.

On his part, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, CP Akpoebi Agberebi (Rtd) attributed the growing rate of crises in the communities because of election in to various positions to the failure of the royal fathers to guide the actors to follow the right procedure.

He decried the rate of kidnapping, sea robbery, cultism and other criminal activities and advised the monarchs to synergies with government to curb the menace.

Minority Whip and member representing Nembe Constituency 3 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, who also spoke, called on the traditional rulers to remain in their domains to rule their people, adding that they know the criminals perpetrating crimes in the creek and with their collaboration, criminality would be reduced.

He advised government to carry out verification before issuing staff of office to traditional rulers as some are only interested in getting contracts from oil companies.

Earlier, the traditional rulers commended the present administration for finding it necessary to engage them with a view to seeking solutions to the challenges of the State.

The monarchs also thanked government for the prompt payment of their allowances and for providing gunboats to guard traders in the waterways

The Ibeyanaowei of Oluasiri Clan, His King I.C Awululu, who assured government of their preparedness to work with government, appealed for the necessary support to enable them carry out their functions effectively.

Also speaking, King Bertram Idibiye Douglas, the Obanobhan of Okoroma Clan, represented by Chief Nanyo Kienworio, explained that the high level of insecurity in the area discourages traditional rulers to live in their domains.

Other traditional rulers who spoke include, Paramount ruler of Elepa Community Chief Gelekuma Apiri, Chief Ebinimi Donka Solomon, Obanema of Akakumama, Chief Renner Iniowei Sekegha ,Amanyanabof Okokokiri