FG MOVES TO REVIVE IRRIGATION PROJECT IN AYAMELUM LGA
Reporter : UCHE NDEKE
The Federal Government says it will continue to place premium on efforts toward ensuring that Nigerians benefit immensely from the agriculture transformation programmes. To this end, it has concluded plans to revitalize some moribund agricultural projects across the country, especially those that would continue to serve the overall interest of local famers.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mustapha Baba Shehuri, stated this when he visited some rice farms and irrigation canals in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State. Ayamelum Local Government Area is one of the food producing belts in Anambra State with about eight communities known for rice farming and other agricultural produce.
However, over the years, their capacity, especially in rice production, dropped drastically due to what the people called neglect of some agricultural projects sited in the area by successive administrations.
Luckily, the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari since inception, has shown total commitment towards revamping some of the ailing projects including the water pumping site built in Ifite Ogwari Community in the 80s.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Mustapha Baba Shehuri, said government would consider partnering private companies in ensuring that such sites, which would encourage all year farming was resuscitated.
He noted that the present administration was working hard to encourage the consumption of local agricultural produce, which in turn would provide jobs for the teeming unemployed persons in the country. Alhaji Baba Shehuri said when the water pumping machines were operational, they would encourage farmers in the area to commence all year round rice cultivation to boost the nation’s food security.
Earlier in a remark, the Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Anambra State, Mr. Arthur Mbuba, said the water pump station was critical to the realisation of the Federal Government’s resolve to encourage local farmers in the area to embark on dry season farming. Mr. Mbuba expressed regret that inadequate funding was a major challenge that led to the total collapse of the Pumping station, while hoping that the moribund situation would be a thing of the past.
The President General of Ifiteogwari, Chief Oliver Ekwunife, and his Umunbo counterpart, Mr. Tony Nnamah, while commending President Buhari for placing priority on farming activities, also appealed for urgent government attention to the poor condition of roads in the area, which according to them were militating against increased food production in the state.
Some National Assembly members, including the member representing Nnewi and Ekwusigo Federal Constituency, Mr. Chris Azubogu, and the Zonal Director Federal Ministry of Agriculture, South East, Mrs. Nkiru Nneji, accompanied the Minister to the occasion.