In its mission to ensure food security, safe food production, well-being of farmers and food processors, Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security through OGUN-CARES FADAMA Project has handed over more infrastructures to beneficiaries.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bolu Owotomo, said Governor Dapo Abiodun’s led administration was determined to increase food production, improve livelihood of farmers as well as enhance sanitation and hygiene in cattle market, slaughter slabs and food processing centres, therefore called for the rehabilitation and provision of the facilities as demanded by the beneficiaries.
Hon. Owotomo stated that the infrastructures included renovation of a block of 4-room toilet with water supply at Imowo Cattle Market, Ijebu North-East Local Government, Refurbishing of 21 meters pedestrian bridge of FADAMA Community Group, Okun-Owa, Odogbolu Local Government and provision of borehole to service fufu processors at Iperu, Ikenne, Local Government Area.
He explained that the 21 meters pedestrian bridge at Okun-Owa would serve about 300 farmers in the community where conveyance of farm produce to the market had been an herculean task due to unconducive wet and muddy road they had to cross over, but now a thing of the past as the pedestrian bridge had been renovated and re-designed, thereby averting post-harvest losses, promising a total refurbishment of the slaughter’s slab at Imowo through his Non-Governmental Organisation, Bolu Owotomo Foundation.
While addressing beneficiaries at Fufu Processing Centre, Iperu, Hon. Owotomo, pointed out that the usefulness of potable water in food processing cannot be brushed aside as it would make life easier for farmers and processors, thereby promoting good nutrition and hygienic environment, assuring that such infrastructures would be spread to other parts of the State, covering the whole 20 Local Government Areas.
The Commissioner promised that government would continue to listen and attend to farmers’ yearnings, enjoining the beneficiaries to take ownership of the facilities handed over to them by ensuring adequate utilisation and maintenance in order to serve them for a long.
“The message for all beneficiaries of government’s projects is to take ownership of the facilities and ensure their proper maintenance, otherwise, it would soon become a waste, and they will be begging the government to come and help them again. That’s why adequate maintenance is important for maximum utility that would stand the test of time,” he admonished.
Earlier, the Acting Project Manager, OGUN-CARES FADAMA, Mr. Oluwafemi Odubiyi, eulogised Governor Dapo Abiodun’s deep concern for farmers’ well-being and the Commissioner’s zeal at seeing farmers’ livelihood turned around for the better.
He hinted that the project was not just for the indigenes, it also accommodates the Arewa people from the Northern part of the country, who also contribute to the economy of the State, while acknowledging cattle farmers at Imowo for establishing FADAMA Users Equitable Fund (FUEF), for the maintenance of the renovated toilet, appealing to other beneficiaries across the State to do likewise.
In his remark, the Chairman of Ijebu North-East Local Government, Hon. Folusho Badejo, praised Prince Dapo Abiodun for remembering the people of Ijebu North-East in his infrastructural strides and applauded the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security as well as OGUN-CARES FADAMA Team for complementing their efforts at the grassroots.
He warned the beneficiaries against turning the toilet to a haven for heinous activities, promising to sink borehole at the slaughter-slab adjacent to the cattle market, which was to be renovated by Bolu Owotomo Foundation.
Responding, Chairman, Imowo Cattle Market, Alh. Mustapha Danguda, expressed joy and appreciation over the renovated toilet, while the Chairman FADAMA Community Group Okun-Owa, Elder Akintomide Adesanya, noted that lack of maintenance of the bridge led its dilapidation in the past, assuring that it would be adequately maintained to justify government’s expenses on it.
Similarly, the duo of Secretary to Ikenne Local Government, Hon. Ifede Ifetayo and Chairman, Fufu Processing Centre, Iperu, Mrs. Florence Ogunleye said the whole community values the state government support and were pleased with the borehole, asking for more modern facilities and trainings that would further aid their business.
Present at the commissioning were, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs. Kehinde Jokotoye, the Director of Administration and Supplies, Mrs. Funmilola Osibodu, the Director of Agricultural Services, Mrs. Aderonke Odoekunfayo, Legislators and Agricultural Directors from concerned Local Governments, farmers’ communities, among others.
