NDDC unveils plan for agric revolution, food security in oil region

The much-expected agric revolution in the oil region may be on the corner as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has unveiled what looks like a massive plan for food security and agric revolution.

The Commission dreams of food import-substitution so that most of the imported food items will be supplied by the oil region.

The plan revealed in Bayelsa State last week would begin with collaboration with the nine States agric units to come up with strategies to push the one-state-one-product project which the Federal Government had for longed advocated.

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The project was for each State in Nigeria to choose a crop and push so well that it would be known for it and be an export hub.

This has remained dull in the oil region even as most states in the north have gone far ahead in it.

Now, Samuel Ogbuku, the NDDC managing director, said the Commission would start this vision by organising a retreat and agricultural summit for the Niger Delta region in line with President Bola Tinubu Administration’s agrarian programme.

The NDDC CEO, who announced this during the inauguration of the Renewed Hope Multi-Purpose Training Centre in Otuokpoti, Ogbia LGA of Bayelsa State, saying that the retreat would be put together in conjunction with the state governments in the Niger Delta region.

Ogbuku stated that the NDDC is determined to make the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government a reality in the Niger Delta region.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Commission’s Board and Management to President Tinubu’s mandate to change the narrative in Nigeria’s oil-producing region.

He gave details, “The NDDC will align with the President’s vision for agriculture, ensuring that we utilise agriculture as a platform for peace and security in the Niger Delta region. A hungry man is an angry man. We cannot train people solely for the sake of training. We aim to promote agriculture by partnering with all state governments in the region.

“At any time from now, the Commission will convene a mini-agricultural retreat for state governments and commissioners of agriculture. Every state in the region has their various areas of strength in agriculture.

“We aim to establish a regional integration for agriculture, which will later evolve into a regional agricultural summit where a comprehensive master plan for the region’s agriculture will be developed. This is for the promotion of food security in the Niger Delta region.”

Ogbuku observed, “Who says that some of the crops imported into the country cannot be grown in this region? Let us strive to ensure that the region comes together to achieve food sufficiency and security.

“Most of our states do not grow crops again. For example, the Ogbia Local Government Area was well known for its coco-yams. Today, they are no longer found in our land. Why can’t we bring it back?

“All these are achievable because we have people who are working with us. We are not the most intelligent people. It does not mean that we understand the administration more than everyone else; rather, it is because people have come together to make it easier for us, and those people who have come together to make it easier for us are our leaders. Mr. President is there, and he is giving us that purposeful guidance under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

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The CEO affirmed that the NDDC is engaging all stakeholders to ensure harmony and cooperation in the task of developing the hitherto neglected Niger Delta region

He added, “It is not only by our efforts; it is a synergy and combined efforts from all the stakeholders who believe the time has come when there should be stability in the NDDC and to ensure that we deliver development to the people of the Niger Delta region.

“We thank our stakeholders for their support and encouragement, which has boosted our desire to ensure that we give our people what they deserve. We appreciate the state governments for supporting us and partnering with us in several areas of development.”

Reflecting on the Agricultural programmes of the Federal Government, Ogbuku stressed the need to bring it home to the Niger Delta region, noting that the NDDC had continued to promote policies and programmes that enhance food security and poverty reduction in the states under its purview.