Newnaija Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara says one of the main goals of his administration is to make the oil and gas-rich state self-sufficient in agriculture and food production before the end of his tenure in office
The governor emphasised that diversifying the economy of the state has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
Speaking when he inaugurated the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the rehabilitation of the state-owned Songhai Integrated Farm, Governor Fubara stated that if the problems associated with food shortage are genuinely tackled, about fifty per cent of the economic hardship in the country would be solved.
Located in Tai local government area, the Rivers State Government-owned Songhai integrated farm spans over 300 hectares.
The farm was conceptualised to serve as an agricultural hub that would help meet the needs of the people.
The Songhai farm achieved considerable success until 2015, when things started to go wrong.
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Governor Siminalayi Fubara visited the farm in October last year to discover that the place was in ruins and taken over by bushes.
The livestock is gone, and so too are the oil palm, rice, and soya bean processing mills.
The equipment has either been vandalised or stolen.
Not deterred, the Rivers State Government is now working hard to revive the Songhai farm.
The first attempt, however, failed following an outrageous demand by the investor the farm was concessioned to.
Moving on, the Rivers State Government has found two investors who have shown significant interest in reviving the farm.
In his bid to ensure that things work out this time, Governor Siminalayi Fubara has set up a task force that will supervise the revitalisation of the Songhai farm, saying that his goal is to make Rivers State self-sufficient in food and agriculture before he leaves office.
Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, says he and other members will make the state proud.
(Editor : Ena Agbanoma)
