•empowers 294 persons with N250,000 each for agro-venture
The Ministry of Regional Development has revealed that it has embarked on several agricultural activities in the different regions aimed at developing rural economies, improving livelihood and eradicating poverty.
The Minister of Regional Development, Abubakar Momoh while making a presentation at the Ministerial Press Briefing on Friday, organized by the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, said they have distributed critical equipment to farmers across the Niger Delta Region, including 81 Mechanical Tillers with Ploughs, Water Pumps, and Trailers.
He said additionally, they have provided 32 Fish Smoking Kilns to riverine communities, enhancing their agricultural productivity. And they are expecting the delivery of 2 Tractors with Harrows, Ploughs, Ridgers and Tipping Trailers, which were awarded under the 2024 Appropriation.
“We have also invested in agro-processing infrastructure, with the establishment of 2 mini agro-processing plants; an Oil Palm Processing Plant in Akwa Ibom State and a Cassava Processing Plant in Cross River State, valued at N171,186,892.38. Under the 2024 Appropriation,an additional 2 mini plants are being constructed.
“A mini-Rice Processing Mill at Bende Town and an Oil Palm Processing Plant in Ukwa East L.G.A., both in Abia State, valued at N288,919,304.15”, the Minister noted.
Furthermore, Engr Momoh said they have trained and provided seed capital of N250,000.00 each to 294 beneficiaries across the region in various agricultural enterprises and value chains through our training and empowerment programmes.
He said arrangements have been concluded to train and empower an additional 850 beneficiaries under the 2024 Appropriation.
“To support small and medium-sized enterprises, we have provided 165 sewing machines, grinding machines, and generating sets to entrepreneurs in Akwa Ibom State, valued at N248,950,000.00.
“Our commitment to women’s economic empowerment is evident in our clean stove initiative, which has benefited 600 women in Akwa Ibom, Imo, and Bayelsa States, at a cost of N82,680,000.00; and we have facilitated the provision of 67 Nos. Truck-Tricycles and 30 Nos. Motor Bikes to youths and farmers in our transportation intervention”, he stated.
The Minister stated that at the inception of the administration in 2023, they inherited some infrastructural development projects which include roads, water supply, rural electrification/solar street lights, and inland waterway transportation facilities which were ongoing at various levels of completion.
“Considering the huge impact and potential infrastructure plays in enhancing the livelihood and socio-economic well-being of the people, we focused our policies on ensuring the completion of such projects through prioritisation to achieve the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ of Mr President in the Niger Delta Region”, he noted.
He said under the 2024 Budget which is currently ongoing, they have awarded the Construction of Agbokim Mgbabor Road Ikom LGA, Cross River State (2km); Construction of Biokpa-okpor-ukwa Road Biase – Odukpani LGAs Cross River State (1.2km); construction of Ezihe Onuimo-Ndiuche Ideato-Unuago Ideato South LGA Road in Imo State (1km).
Others are the Construction of Ezeelu Okwe Amaikpa Umucheke road (1km), Construction of Ididep Urban Roads, Akwa Ibom State (1.2km), Construction of Ban Ogoi/Kpaken/Camp Settlement/Barayira East West Road Rivers State (1.67km) and Repair of Ekanile Road, Ikare Akoko, Ondo North Senatorial, Ondo State (0.6km).
He further stated that the Ministry has also initiated the award of 8 major road projects that are in the process of being approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
These road projects according to him are the construction of 45km Okpella North Ibie – Agenebode Road in Etsako East LGA, Edo State (15.81 Km Section I), the construction of Okugbe – Imiekuri Road (8.3 Km), Construction of Iyukwu-atte Road (7.872 Km).
Others are construction of Ekperi Osomegbe Road and Bridge (14.022 Km), construction of Ihievbe – Ogben Road 16.875km, construction of Otuo – Ikhin Road (9 Km Phase Ii), construction of Afuze Olelo-erah Road (7km Section I).
On water projects, the Minister said under the 2023 Appropriation, the Ministry implemented 6 Mini-water schemes with a total capacity of 150m per day to deliver potable water. This, according to him, has significantly reduced poverty and improved health and sanitation in the Communities.
“In 2024, we embarked on the provision and installation of 7 500KVA Transformers and 1 2.5mVA Transformer with accessories at various locations in the Region to boost economic activities.
“To harness the economic values of waterways in the Niger Delta Region, we have embarked on the design and construction of Jetty projects for water transportation such as the recently awarded”, he added.
On housing and urban projects, Engr Momoh said to address the housing deficit and improve urban development towards enhancing livelihood, socio-economic well-being, and quality of life for individuals and communities, the Ministry is implementing mega and quick win projects.
“At the inception of this Administration, we inherited the construction of Mega Skill Acquisition Centers in all the Nine (9) States of the Niger Delta Region at a total cost of N35,165,955,766.38, which have no proper plan for operations nor sustainable management framework.
“The Centres in Bayelsa and Imo States have been completed and handed over to the Federal University Otuokeand the Federal Polytechnic Nekede respectively. The remaining ones in the 7 States are at the various stages of completion. Proper arrangements are being put in place to secure funds for their completion.
“The Mega Skills Centres require huge capital to complete them. However, the Ministry does not have the funds to execute all of them. We are currently making proper arrangements to secure funds for their completion, as well as handover to relevant agencies with the mandate to manage them”, he noted.
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