By CHINYERE Nnaemeka
The Imo State House of Assembly has urged the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma to direct the relevant Ministries to collaborate with the 27 Local Government Councils of the state to prioritize Agriculture for food security and economic growth of the State.
They also charged each of the Local Government Council to identify and focus on specific crop production leveraging its comparative advantages.
They further urge the governor to direct the Ministries of Agriculture and Local Government to provide necessary support and training to the Local Government Councils for a successful implementation of the initiative.
The Assembly made the call on Tuesday during the House plenary when the motion was raised by the Member Representing Obowo State Constituency, and former Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Kennedy Ibeh, and seconded by Oguta Legislator, Hon. Engr. Gilbert Nwosu.
The motion was further co-sponsored by sixteen (16) other lawmakers; Rt. Hon. Chyna Iwuanyanwu, Hon. Francis Agabige, Hon. Samuel Osuji, Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, Hon. Johnleoba Iheoha, Hon. Gilbert Nwosu, Hon. Kingsley Ozurumba, Hon. Johnson Duru, Hon. Ikenna Ihezue, Hon. Ugochukwu Amuchie, Hon. Ozioma Worship Ebonine, Hon. Chigozie Nwaneri, Hon. Francis Osuoha, Hon. Bernard Ozoemelam, Hon. Obinna Egu.
Presenting the motion, the Obowo lawmaker, Ibeh who is also the first third timer in the Imo State House of Assembly, averred that dependency on Agriculture has been a vital means of ensuring food security (availability, affordability, and accessibility of food for a long period of time), promoting economic growth, and improving living standards all around the world.
He pointed out that it was worrisome that the 27 Local Government Areas of Imo State have significant potentials for Agricultural production, but have remained largely unproductive in the area over the years.
He continued that the 27 LGs leveraging on agriculture and most pertinently focusing on specific crop production will create the needed comparative advantages, enhance economic competitiveness among the Local Government Areas and thereby positioning the State for economy growth.
Ibeh further stressed that such increase in food production will lead to availability of food, reduced cost of living, improved living standards, and that the indigens of the state will not just have enough to eat, but also to export.
Hear him,” Any country that is able to ensure that there is adequate provision of food for its citizenry enjoys high level of improved living standards. They even do more better when they invest in it to the extent of exporting those produce.
“In terms of poverty alleviation nothing can do the magic like agriculture, as it is the main business God put in place in the establishment of this world.
“The economy of Brazil today is controlled by agriculture, as 25% of their activities is dependent on it. Rwanda within 10 years has moved from where they use to be to where they are now because they have done so much in the area of coffee production.
“Between 1981, and 2015, 700million Chinese moved from poverty to improved living condition due to their being intentional about prioritizing on agriculture. The poverty rate of Ghana by WorldBank earlier was at 44.8%, but just between 1992, and 2015, it reduced to 18.9% because of their venturing into agriculture.
“A lot of Cereals; soya bean, corn that we are eating today is because of Argentina.
“Imo State has population of 5.5million people sitting on about 5100 square kilometers of land, we exist in the tropics, have arable lands, and are blessed to be positioned within the rain forest, so we should be thinking food first before luxury.
“Benue State has been tagged food basket of the nation, but I deer to say that with the right policies and programmes in place, Imo State can compete with them, even with there large land mass.
“I have checked, and there is hardly any crop that cannot be produced in the state. Shockingly, even Cottons can be produced here, cucumbers, tomatoes, palm trees cultivated in Ohaji Egbema can be replicated in other local government areas.
“Let’s imagine that there was no more oil in Nigeria what happens. So it is time for us to think out of the box and prepare for tomorrow, for before oil was discovered in Nigeria we were making money from agriculture which was what attracted colonial masters to Nigerian not oil
Supporting the motion was the Majority Leader of the House, Rt. Hon. Kanayo Onyemaechi, Deputy Majority Leader; Rt. Hon. Kelechi Ofurum, Minority Leader; Rt. Hon. Princewill Amuchie, Deputy Minority leader; Rt. Hon. Clinton Amadi, members representing Orsu; Hon. Francis Agabige, Mbaitoli; Hon. Innocent Ikpamezie, Njaba, Hon. Ozioma Ebonine, Isu; Barr. Kingsley Ozurumba, and Ideato North; Hon. Okechukwu Udeze.
They reiterated how pertinent it is for every state in the country to delve into agriculture not just for the sake of food security but also to boost the economy of the country.
They all further commended the mover of the motion saying it is what the state needs at the moment.
Discover more from NATIONAL BEAM
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
