- Rivers State Governor plans to transform agriculture using Songhai Farms in Bunu-Tai as a starting point for economic diversification
- The initiative aims to boost food sufficiency, engage the community, create jobs, and address economic challenges in the state
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has stated that his administration intends to revolutionize agriculture by using the Songhai Farms in the Bunu-Tai community in the state’s Tai local government area as a launching pad.
Fubara, who gave the assurance during a visit to the Songhai Farm yesterday, was shown around some sections of the facility by the farm’s manager, Dr. Sammy Jaja.
The governor stated that the visit was in response to the decisions made at the most recent National Economic Council (NEC) meeting, where economic diversification was emphasized to alleviate the citizens’ current economic hardship.
“In our most recent National Economic Council meeting, everyone was advised to diversify because of the current state of our economy, which you are aware of; the issue of the removal of fuel subsidies and other economic bites affecting everyone,” he said.
“The other option is agriculture, and we were all advised to see how we can improve food sufficiency.”
Fubara stated that revitalizing the Songhai Farms would help to diversify the state’s economy, engage the people meaningfully, and increase the state’s food sufficiency capacity.
“As I leave here now, we will bring in all stakeholders to discuss the way forward,” the governor said. What I see here will necessitate long-term planning and a return to the site to reinstall the decommissioned facilities.
“The state government will not simply do that; we will bring in people with the courage and commitment to work with us to bring this place back to life.”
“The benefits of bringing this place back to life include food sufficiency and job creation.” It will also address youth restlessness.”
Dr. Sammy Jaja, project manager for the Shonghai project, stated that the project is based on a self-driven zero-waste model and can potentially promote economic development.