Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan has urged the Ministry of Agriculture not to make mistakes on figures of farmers affected by the flood and warned against using the agricultural programme as money making venture.
Governor Uduaghan who was reviewing the flood situation in the state with his officials in Asaba yesterday,said “Don’t see this as a money making venture. Be prudent and do not bring unrealistic figures. Pursue this programme selflessly and help our farmers to plant this season.”
He directed the ministry to classify the farmers into categories especially subsistence, merchandized and commercial farmers so that the state government would determine the level of assistance.
The governor was optimistic that the farmers affected by flood would replace their lost crops even as he disclosed that the federal Ministry of agriculture will distribute to states affected by flood improved seeds and seedlings this planting season.
His words “Farmers lost everything and they are expected to plant this season so don’t frustrate our efforts. You have to be sincere, we are not going to tolerate fraudulent figures”.
Briefing the governor the state Commissioner for agriculture Hon. Misan Ukubeyinje announced that the Federal government has allocated more than 40 metric tons of grain to Delta state.
Hon. Ukubeyinje disclosed that the grains would be conveyed to the state with 49 trucks even as he explained that the grains would be sufficient for the displaced flood victims and they should therefore not worry about anything.
He outlined the grains to include rice, maize and sorghum as well as garri to feed the teeming internally displaced people.
The Commissioner who also disclosed that the displaced farmers would be supplied planting seeds of rice, beans cassava stem, maize and sorghum enjoined farmers to utilize the seeds and seedlings diligently to enable them improve food production.
In his contribution the chairman of the committee managing the 500 million naira flood grant justice Tabai said arrangement have been concluded to fumigate the communities flood had re ceded from.
Justice Tabai however opined that the ministry of agriculture should not rely on only the population of displaced people in the camps but should take cognisance of those whose farms were submerged but did not stay in the camps.
He explained that those who did not stay in the camps were many and should be assisted.
