Ogheneruona Tejiri, Asaba
Delta State government under Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is poised to harnessing the vast potentials of agriculture for increased food security for Deltans in particular, and Nigeria in general.
This was disclosed by Hon. Samuel Ologida, Commissioner for Trade and Investment, who is the Supervising Commissioner for Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources during a fact-finding meeting with Heads of Departments, Parastatals and their Deputies at the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources headquarters, Asaba to discuss the operations and activities of the various sections.
Hon. Ologida in the company Mr. Augustine Oghoro, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, who equally doubles as the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources said that agriculture as a key factor in the development of any economy is crucial to achieving the State government’s M.O.R.E Agenda adding that the Governor has mandated him to deliver on the M.O.R.E Agenda.
He called for cooperation from all staff on one hand and cooperation among Heads of Departments; Parastatals, and their Deputies on the other to work as a team, he noted that the cooperation and synergy would help to upscale agriculture to a wealth making venture for the State.
He charged all staff to keep proper documentation of farm equipments, vehicles, among other agricultural utilities, saying that agricultural equipments and vehicles being capital intensive should not be mismanaged or handled nonchalantly, irrespective of whose tenure such facilities were procured.
While assuring farmers of Government support, the Commissioner added, “hiring out farm imputs at highly subsidised rates with little or no returns, make maintenance and sustainability of government investments difficult and despite the agricultural subsidy, many beneficiaries still had reasons not to pay back grants or make meaningful returns on investment, which simply justifies the cliche that government has no business doing business”.
He then called on Heads of Departments, Parastatals and their Deputies to imbibe “smart, result-oriented thoughts in order to add value in running the process of increased food security. Government will not tolerate mismanagement of government facilities and funds under their purview, as it cannot afford to dissipate limited resources on projects and investment that should be generating revenue, and self-sustaining.
Hon. Ologida further requested a complete list of contractors yet to carry out their projects to the letter and beneficiaries of farm inputs that refused to make returns as government will go after them, he disclosed that he would be visiting government sponsored farms and project sites to have on the spot assessment to enable government take necessary action.
On his part, Mr. Oghoro called on officials to show sincerity of purpose in handling government affairs in order to encourage more government funding, pointing out that “government will not expect Ministries and its Parastatals to keep asking for funds or machineries all the time, whereas nothing to show for funds and equipment previouly collected”.
Mr. Oghoro added, “this could make government doubt the sincerity of such official’s requests. No doubt, government will surely go after contractors yet to complete their work to the letter.”
He emphasized the importance of record keeping of beneficiaries of government agricultural resources, equipment, vehicles including tractors “to aid future agricultural, as well as economic planning.”
Earlier in their separate briefings, the Heads of Departments, Parastatals and Deputies commended the Commissioner for the meeting, as it afforded them the opportunity to discuss their strengths and challenges.
According to them, some of the challenges includes but not limited to lack of adequate funding, shortage of staff, farm equipment, utility vehicles, office space, dilapidated buildings in many area offices, as well as security issues, among others.
Highlights of the meeting was the presentation of reports which enumerated the objectives and activities of the Departments and Parastatals by the various Heads to the Commissioner.
