NDDC, IFAD LAUNCH LIFE-ND PROJECT FOR AKWA IBOM, IMO AND RIVERS STATES TO ENSURE FOOD SECURITY
BY GABRIEL OKECHUKWU, FRCN PORT HARCOURT
Managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku says the commission has complied with her counterpart funding of thirty million Dollars for International Fund for Agricultural Development , IFAD programme, tagged LIFE-ND for Niger Delta Region.
Dr. Ogbuku who made this known during the launch of the programme for Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers State in Port Harcourt, maintained that the programme would enhance food security in the region and nation at large.
The livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises, Niger Delta, Life ND project is International Fund For Agricultural Development IFAD, programme in collaboration with Federal Government and Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, aimed at food security through training and empowerment of youths and women.
At the Launch of the programme for Akwa Ibom, Imo and Rivers States, the Managing Director Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC, Dr Samuel Ogbuku who expressed displeasure that other states in Niger Delta region have been beneficiaries of the programme apart from the three states, told the people that NDDC has robust budgetary provision for agriculture in the region.
While calling for research to bring back extinct food varieties in the region, Dr. Ogbuku stated that the commission was planning mini power plant projects to facilitate processing in agricultural value chain.
According to him, about thirty eight thousand women and youths, aged between eighteen and thirty five years are expected to benefit from the programme.
In the same vein, Minister of Finance, Mr. Oluwale Edu represented by a director in his ministry, Mr. Steve Ohaeri applauded NDDC for the counterpart funding, adding that LIFE ND project would create jobs, while the Minister of Agriculture and food security, Senator Abubakar Kyari represented by Dr. Peter Kush noted that the project has capacity to tackle poverty in Niger Delta region.
Similarly, the Executive Director Projects NDDC, Sir Victor Antai who noted that NDDC was willing to partner different organizations to facilitate development of Niger Delta region, explained that the LIFE ND programme would adopt incubator model, where beneficiaries are trained in mechanized agriculture, empowered to start their own farms and then train others.
Sir Antai observed that partnership with IFAD has boosted food security, job creation and youth development in the region.
He encouraged women and youths of the region to leverage on the opportunity and become self reliant.
On her part, Country Director International Fund for Agriculture, IFAD, Mrs. Dede Ekoue who was optimistic that the programme would boost entrepreneurship among the people of the Region, acknowledged the commitment of NDDC to the success of Life ND programme.
Mrs. Ekoue emphasized on the need for financial transparency and compliance in all aspects of the programme.
Giving an overview of the progress of the programme, National project coordinator, IFAD, Dr. Abiodu Sanni said the programme would run in ten Local government Areas and ten communities in each of the local government areas in all the covered states with focus on Rice, fishery, oil palm, cocoa, sassava and poultry.
With the challenge of hunger in the land, the LIFE ND agricultural programme may serve as a leeway out of food scarcity in Niger Delta region and entire country.
