Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State has disclosed that his administration has invested and done much not only to support the farmers but also to put needed infrastructure that could enhance production and marketing of agriculture outputs in place.
The Governor disclosed this during the unveiling of empowerment programme for farmers under the Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), in Ado-Ekiti.
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According to the Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, “from the inception of this administration, we set the ball rolling to accomplish the seemingly daunting task in view of paucity of funds available to the State. We are walking the talk, and very hopeful that beautiful outcome awaits us as people, government and State.” Fayemi stated.
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“Since we keyed into the programme in Ekiti State, we have planned and are delivering the NEWMAP project strategically by integrating and linking its activities and outcomes to the wider reforms which we have initiated and sustained.
“We are doing this with the aim of alleviating poverty, maintaining sustainable ecosystems and improving disaster risk management in our dear State,” he said.
While mentioning some remarkable achievements of NEWMAP in Ekiti State within the short time, Fayemi noted that the project has successfully acquired two low bed trucks and two 30-Tonne Amphibious Excavators, which he said, would be commissioned soon.
This he said would go a long way to alleviate the erosion challenges experienced in the past, as they will be readily available for channelisation of waterways while the equipment will also be deployed for revenue generation.
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“The impact of NEWMAP is further being felt across the State with the ongoing reconstruction of Ajolagun Bridge in Ikere Ekiti, channelisation of 1km gully erosion at Irele Health Centre and reconstruction of Ogbomu culvert in Irele Ekiti, reconstruction of Arinkin Bridge at Ijowa Ekiti, and the construction of 3.86km lined drains in Ipao Ekiti.
“I am equally aware that advanced preparations are being made for civil works to commence in other senatorial districts of the State. All these are clear indication that we are keeping to our promises of reclaiming our land, restoring ours values and making the lives of our people better than it was,” he added.
Fayemi said NEWMAP is an intervention project by the Federal Government for the management of erosion and watershed challenges across the country, stressing that the project is generally aimed at rehabilitating degraded lands, reducing erosion and flood disaster and creating new environment that is hazard free for the benefit of the people, just as he said the programme is also to motivate community participation towards reduction of environmental risks and gender-based violence across project sites.
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The Governor further explained that, NEWMAP programme in Ekiti State include planning three kinds of trees, which could be of economic benefit as well assist the environmental aims of the programme.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Iyabode Fakunle-Okieimen, said the project is divided into four components, namely; Erosion and Watershed Management Infrastructure Investments, Erosion and Watershed Management Institutions and Information Services, Climate Change Resilience, and Project Management, adding the event bordered on the watershed management aspect of the project, which according to her, was the regeneration of degraded forest reserves and woodlots establishment.
“This component in the state is targeted at cultivating 250 hectares of land in the nine forest reserves in nine local governments of the state, Ado-Ekiti, Ikere, Ise, Emure, Ekiti West, Ekiti East, Gbonyin, Ekiti South West and Oye. Also, the Project is to engage 540 farmers across the state with 38,000 seedlings, 13,500kg of fertilisers, 1000 litres of agrochemicals, 550 pairs of safety boots, hand gloves, safety helmets, hoes, cutlasses, raincoats, knapsack sprayer among others”.
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The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prince Olabode Adetoyi, also described the programme as a laudable. He said the afforestation will really help in those erosion prone areas.
The representative of Crown Ocean Nigeria Limited, partners to the project, Mr. Saheed Ganiyu, said the set of farmers, which have been formed into different clusters, would undergo training on proper handling of the tools.
Mr. Ganiyu explained that the privileged farmers would serve as agent of change in their respective forest reserves to other farmers who do not have the privilege.
The Ekiti State NEWMAP Coordinator, Dr. Akinyemi Akinyugba appreciated the Governor for his unflinching support and vision for the project.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mr. Ezekiel Oke thanked the Governor for bringing the programme to Ekiti. He promised that all that have been given to them would be used for the benefit of all and the uplift of the State.
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