… Assures NIWAB Of Govt’s Readiness To Partner Agric Cooperatives
Efficient and sufficient agricultural production has been identified as key to food security and the gateway to industrialization of any country.
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made the assertion on Tuesday when the state chapter of the Nigerian Women in Agricultural Business (NIWAB) paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
The Deputy Governor, noted that agriculture was one of the legs on which the ASSURED Prosperity Agenda of the Governor Douye Diri-led Administration stands as it holds huge potential for the state.
According to him, the key to get Bayelsa industrialized lies in agriculture, and therefore emphasized the need for every stakeholder in the sector, including NIWAB to maximally explore areas in which it has comparative advantage to achieve food security
While commending NIWAB for their bold initiative to key into the goal of agricultural revolution by the present administration, Senator Ewhrudjakpo, however, clarified that ‘henceforth government would only partner serious-minded agricultural cooperatives to drive the process.”
Earlier in her presentation, the State President of the NIWAB, Mrs Ebimotimi Leghemo, said women farmers in Bayelsa were ready to take full advantage of the fertile soil in the state to produce enough food to feed all Bayelsans and supply other states.
Mrs Leghemo, who disclosed that over 15,000 Bayelsan women had so far registered with NIWAB, declared the cooperative’s readiness to work with the Prosperity Administration in agriculture, and solicited support from government.
In another development, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has charged the Chairmen and Executive Secretaries of the various Local Government Healthcare Authorities (LGHAs) in the state to enforce strict discipline in the primary health sector.
The Deputy Governor, who gave the charge when he granted audience to the chairmen and executive secretaries during a courtesy visit, kicked against the prioritization of health infrastructure over its manpower needs in the country.
He noted that until the country got its primary healthcare sector right, Nigeria’s overall healthcare delivery system would not be able to make the desired progress.
Responding to the requests of the LGHA chairmen and secretaries, Senator Ewhrudjakpo assured them that the issues would be looked into and addressed accordingly.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Dr. Robert Director pointed out the operational challenges confronting them, such as lack of office accommodation and official vehicles, as well as funds to carry out statutory functions including the execution of emergency health intervention projects.
Signed
Mr Doubara Atasi
Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor
Bayelsa State
29/01/25
