-Condems Level of Vandalisation Of Properties
-Suggests Private Partnership As Solution for Revitalisation
By : Eze White
As part of it’s oversight responsibility and in keeping with the Recovery and Rehabilitation,mantra of the the present administration as well as the yearnings by citizens of the State to ensure food Sustainability for it’s growing population, the Imo State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, Fishery and Livestock has taken an on the spot assessment tour of some agencies under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries to make findings on their challenges and make adequate recommendations on the floor of the House for immediate action.
The Committee, which has Hon Francis Agabige of Orsu State Constituency as Chairman, also has Hon Engr.Benard Ozoemena of Ehime Mbano and Hon
Francis Uzoma Osuoha of Ohaji Egbema as members.The Committee took time to visit the Acharubo Livestock Farms Ubowala Emekuku, Owerri North Local Government,The Owerri Zonal Vertinary Clinic,and The Songhai Farms Limited,Nekede, Owerri West Local Government.The Committee had Top Management Staff of the Ministry on it’s entourage which included Dr Cyril Nwogu Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture,Dr Gabriel Iroh Director of Vertinary Services,Mr Emmanuel Nwoke Director of Fisheries,Mr Victor Njoku Director of Livestock and Dr Mrs Ngozi Lumanze Coordinator of the Achabugo Livestock Farms.
At the Achabugo Livestock Farms Limited, the Committee was taken round the vast acres of land which the Committee described as having the potential to feed the State and produce for export as well as its pens for birds, the pigry ,abatur,fish ponds,as well as goat and sheep habitations.the Committee also saw the Staff quarters,solar powered boreholes, lighting systems and the electrical and mechanical departments of the farm which the Committee says is an entire community.The members of the Committee said the farm was an asset to the State but frowned at the level of neglect in the farm considering the huge amounts of resources committed to the sustainability of the farm but little has been done to improve productivity.The condemned the level of non utilization of the farm and it’s Vandalisation,and said something urgent need to be done to salvage the farm from further degradation and collapse, the Committee requested for Top Management Staff to proffer proffessional advice on ways to salvage the present situation.The Committee further observed the abandonment of duty posts of some officials of the farms and lack of commitment to duty by the start. The coordinator said understaffing,low budgetry allocation, and Vandalisation were some of the major challenges of the farm that needed urgent attention.
At the Owerri Zonal Vertinary Clinic the Director of Vertinary Services Dr Mrs Ijeoma Stan Ekezie said their first challenge was accommodation as they were squatting in the premises along Mbaise Road with the Centre For Adult Education who asked them to vacate several times. The Director Vertinary suggested that their own permanent structure be built for them and animal medication sourced to enhance their job performance.
At the Imo State Agricultural Development Program, the Committee was received by the Owerri Zonal Coordinator, Mrs Anthonia Okeowu, on behalf of the State Programmes Coordinator,Mr Jones Uzoka The Zonal Coordinator sought the assistance of the Committee on the delapidated state of the structures in the agency as well as its machines and solicited for seedlings, fertilizers, pesticides,loans and mechinized tools to improve its production.The Committee questioned the use of some of government facilities within the premises
for purposes other than what they were meant for and asked for the demolition of some structures within the premises that were structurally bad and could not be renovated.
At the Songhai Farms Limited Nekede the Coordinator of the farm Mrs Ngozi Ohaeri, took the Committee around the farm and gave the Committee a report of its challenges which she said included , the invading of the farm land by land speculators,miners,and scavengers who come in and cart away with valuable items belonging to the farm and government which includes the farm generating set ,bohole,and Staff she also noted that the issue of illegal occupants of
