By Christopher Odamah, Asaba

The Honourable member representing Ethiope East State Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Chief Evance Ochuko Ivwurie, yesterday presided over the 2017 proposed budget defence of the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and office of Job Creation.

Our reporter gathered that the Ministry was represented by the State Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources the, Mr. Austin Chikezie and the Chief Job Creation Officer of the state, Prof. Eric Eboh.

The proposed budget estimated for the year 2017 of the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, is N534,670,000 only.

The budget presentation and defence was well attended by members of the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources; Rt. Hon. Peter Onwusanya, Hon. Timi Tonye (PhD), Hon. Comrade Rueben Uzezi, Hon. Efe Ofobruku and Hon. Dr. Alphonsus Ojo.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Evance Ivwurie said that “We must divest to Agriculture to enable us as a state increase our Internally Generated Revenue, Create Jobs and develop our economy.”

He also added that “Agriculture is the final destination of the state government in this era where oil is no longer dependable and reliable as a source of revenue, stating that no responsible government would want to play with its agricultural production.

While commending the Chief Job Creation Officer of the State, Prof. Eric Eboh for his positive approach in fostering the various Agricultural programmes (YAGEP and STEP) organised by the state Government, Hon. Ivwurie urged the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Job Creation Office to synergize together in moving Delta State forward.