Gov Oborevwori Flags Off Phase 3 Of Distribution Of Grains To Farmers, Other Delta Residents In Ibusa

Delta state governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori flagged-off Phase 3 of the distribution of grains to farmers in the state on Thursday while urging civil servants and other workers in The Big Heart state to engage in small – scale farming to mitigate the rising hunger in the country. 

A statement made available to Team@orientactualmags.com noted that Governor Oborevwori  flagged off the distribution of grains to the beneficiaries at the Delta Agricultural Procurement Agency, (DAPA) Warehouse, Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government. 

With hunger rising sharply in the country, the governor submitted that food security is very important while urging the subsidy palliative distribution committee to ensure that all farmers are carried along, noting that not all farmers are members of the farmers’ association. 

Governor Oborevwori said:  ‘We have done the first and second phases. But we decided to do this very one in a grand style because, if you don’t announce yourself, nobody will announce you. 

All the things we have been doing for the past one year, we don’t even showcase them. Some people will not know that we are doing a lot. On the issue of palliatives, Delta state was the first in Nigeria to consider the Civil Servants. 

When the issue of fuel subsidy removal came, we looked at it, it was a real hard time for our Civil Servants; we discussed and the first thing we did was to pay all the outstanding promotion arrears amounting to over N5.6 billion. We didn’t even know how the future was going to be then. 

That wasn’t all;  at the critical time of the fuel subsidy removal, we also sat down and even with a lot of workers of 50,193. We also agreed that for the 50, 193 workers, we will be giving them small stipends of N10,000 for three months. We did it and it cost the state over N1.5 billion. 

 As for the issue of this palliative, we shared it last year; we are here today to say we are grateful to God for what He has been doing for us. Today, we are going to flag off  distribution of the rice and maize that we have received. 

We received 24,000 units of 25kg bags of rice from  the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria RIFAN; we received 4,700 units of 25kg bags of Garri and 18,770  units of 50kg bags of maize from the National Emergency Management Agency and the National Security Adviser’s Office. 

This palliative was received last month, which is May, 2024 and we are grateful to all the donor agencies for their support. 

You may also recall that between August and September 2023,  we received 17,400 units of 50kg bags of rice and 40,000 units of 50kg bags of maize in a joint venture with the Federal Government. 

The items were distributed across the state in the first and second phases of this programme to take care of most especially, the  most vulnerable in our state. 

I have told the SSG to ensure that this phase of distribution should get to even some notable farmers who do not belong to the different farmers’ associations. The committees at the Local Governments comprise the NLC, faith- based organizations, community Presidents- General, the traditional institutions and NGOs. 

We also took a decision that the Civil Servants from levels 1-14 should run shift. Monday to Wednesday, others Thursday and Friday. We have not even cancelled it and we feel it’s an opportunity  for them to go into farming. 

There is no farming that is too small. We did that so that the money they would have used to buy fuel and come to work, they can save it and invest it in their farms. If everybody, the fifty thousand and something workers we have in this state, 60 per cent of them are engaged in farming, there will be food sufficiency. 

I want to thank that lecturer who is a farmer. She has encouraged people to go into farming. Food is very important. We have fertile lands in Delta state. 

As an administration that prioritizes the welfare of citizens, we shall continue to explore ways and means to expand our coverage and mitigate the current hardship thereby bringing succour to our people’. 

Earlier, Chairman of the State Subsidy Palliative Committee , who is the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Emu, commended Governor Oborevwori for the ongoing 317 road projects across the state with 76 of them spanning 170km length which he had  initiated in the last one year. 

He added that road projects in the state have contributed immensely to easing transportation of farm produce and getting the economy of the state enhanced. 

Emu lauded and thanked the donors- the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, RIFAN, National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, and the National Security Adviser’s Office, for the various donations. 

In their separate remarks, the representatives of poultry, fishery and piggery farmers in the state, Chief Eric Tomfawei, Ogbueshi Adim Nwokobia, Dr Amatu Edozie, Mary Odiatu and Dr Emmanuella Clinton, commended Governor Oborevwori for supporting farmers and pledged their unalloyed commitment to ensuring sustainable food security in the state and the country as a whole–Team@orientactualmags.com  Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com.  Thank you