As part of measures to carry out its statutory oversight responsibilities of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises for the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) projects in the state, Lawmakers from the Cross River State House of Assembly embarked on an assessment tour of various project sites.
The lawmakers, who are Members of the House committee on Agriculture, were accompanied by officials of FGN/NDDC/IFAD/LIFE-ND Project, Cross River State Project Coordinating Office. The inspection team visited some communities across three Local Government Areas and communities as follows: Urua Ndung in Akpabuyo, Njok Obika in Akamkpa, and Idoma and Obioko-Adim communities in Biase Local Government Area.
During the inspection, the lawmakers expressed satisfaction with the quality of infrastructures and the progress made to improve the livelihoods of rural communities through sustainable agricultural practices.
As part of its interactive assessment with beneficiaries of the IFAD assisted LIFE-ND Project, the lawmakers also, inspected the construction of open and lock-up markets stores, solar powered boreholes, provision of infrastructural support to graduands in fish cluster value chains. Similarly, the members of the house committee on agriculture further inspected cassava processing mill, clearing/development of 15HA of land for cassava production as well as the mini bridge and earth roads.
Speaking to our Correspondent in an interview, Hon Obette Philip Obi, who represents Boki State Constituency, and chairman of the House of Assembly committee on Agriculture, commended FGN/NDDC/ IFAD assisted LIFE-ND Project for their steadfastness , commitment, resilience, hard work and dedication to actualisation of the mandate. He reminded the IFAD assisted LIFE-ND Project of the willingness of His Excellency’s commitment to fulfilling it counterpart funds obligations particularly for high performing Projects in the State.
While soliciting for upscaling of Project coverage, Hon. Obette, lamented the incapacitation of LIFE-ND Project to site projects in all the Local Government Areas of the State.
He said “we are happy that beneficiaries are making profit, there’s food security and jobs are being created through engagement in agriculture in Cross River State, like we promised. The State is at the point of feeding the whole nation so this is our expectation and we are glad that it’s happening”.
“However, we join the communities in appreciating these laudable achievement, while we wish the Project should have covered all the nook and cranies of our LGAs we are equally appealing for the consideration of the provision of additional market stalls to ease the exchange of goods and services as well as accommodate variety of enterprise commodities aside the poultry value chain.
“We are saying that the partnership of Cross River State with IFAD assisted LIFE ND Project is a novel one. The results speak for themselves but, we want more in our communities we want our people to be liberated, we have to run away from white color jobs and participate more in agribusiness. The provision of support in marketing and processing infrastructures as well as earth roads construction would ease accessibility, connectivity and evacuation of food produce from rural to urban areas while the processing infrastructures will reduce post harvest losses and enhanced the shelf life of the commodities. In the long run sustainable jobs, high incomes would be realised thereby discouraging negative vices inimical to the society.”
Also speaking, the State Project Coordinator Mr Innocent Ogbin said that, the inspection was necessary. Noting that, it was to ensure that the Project is on its right track and meeting the intended goals and objectives in positively impacting on the lives of rural communities in Cross River State.
“The FGN NDDC IFAD assisted LIFE-ND Project as in other States in the Niger Delta covers ten Local Government Areas with ten communities in each of the LGAs. The inspection field activities has taken us to Obioko-Adim, where members of the Cross River State House of Assembly House committee on agriculture have assessed the open and lock-up stores. At Idoma, because of its comparative advantage and dominance cassava was the commodity of choice selected by the people.
“So, IFAD is about investing in rural people and the LIFE-ND Project is to transformed rural economy in which the rural population derives prosperity and equal benefits.improve livelihoods through job creation, food security and income generation.
“As part of our sustainability strategy, FGN/NDDC/IFAD assisted LIFE-ND Project has structures/rural institutions in all benefitting communities. They include Commodity Apex Development Association (CADA), the Enterprise groups, and the LIFE-ND Agribusiness Innovative Forum (LAbIF). These are bodies that are saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that beyond IFAD assisted LIFE ND, these projects are sustained.
“Accordingly, I am appealing to the beneficiaries and community leadership to guard the projects jealously and ensure maximum usage . These projects are for their benefits and are expected to be seen as dividends of democracy having come as answers to good governance. “-He added.
Further accentuating on the importance and roles of the IFAD LIFE-ND Project were key community leaders such as Chief Bassey Eyo Ephraim of Urua-Ndung, His Royal Highness, Onun Usor I, the Clan Head of Adim, Chief Jacob Egbai of Idoma and Rev. Mrs. Rita Henshaw who all spoke in glowing terms of the positive impacts of the project on the lives of their people especially applauding the model adopted by the project as it seamlessly allows the incubatees learn the concept of their chosen commodity with ease.
They further appealed to the Governor through the House of Assembly members to adopt the model for the state, as this will help to boost the state’s credentials in food security, and sustainability.
The FGN NDDC IFAD assisted LIFE-ND Project in Cross River State are part of efforts to reduce poverty, enhanced food security and income generation in the rural communities. The projects focus on improving agricultural productivity, enhancing market access, reducing post harvest losses and promoting sustainable and environmentally friendly practices.
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