Bayelsa State governor Senator Douye Diri has challenged the chairmen of the eight local government areas to support his administration’s efforts to boost agriculture, ensure food security and create jobs.
Diri said his administration was committed to boosting food production through large-scale farming in communities across the state.
The governor, who identified agriculture as a central pillar of his administration’s agenda, emphasised the need to explore Baylsa’s potential in the sector and enhance its value chain for job and wealth creation, thereby diversifying the state’s economy.
In a statement issued yesterday by his chief press secretary, Daniel Alabrah, he quoted the governor as giving the charge on Monday during a meeting with the council chairmen in Government House, Yenagoa.
He tasked the chairmen with working closely with the ministries of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Marine and Blue Economy, Lands and Survey, and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, to establish demonstration farms under the supervision of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
The governor particularly charged the heads of the third tier of government with identifying crops in which they had a comparative advantage and investing in vegetable, fruit, aquaculture, and poultry production.
He further directed the chairmen to establish personal farms while supporting local farmers by serving as off-takers of their produce to enhance food production.
Diri stressed the need to revive existing farms and acquire a large expanse of land to actualise the government’s vision and make a 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 the 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.
