Prince Ebitimi Amgbare, Managing Director (MD) of Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), has sought the support of Delta state government to achieve the organisation’s mandate.
A statement issued on Wednesday by Mr. Isaac Ombe, Special Assistant, Media to the MD, NDBDA said Amgbare made the appeal during a visit to Gov Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State.
Ombe noted that the visit was in continuation of Amgbare’s familiarisation tour of the core mandate areas of the NDBDA.
Oborevwori, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chief Monday Onyeme expressed the state government’s preparedness to partner with the agency for food security.
Amgbare was accompanied on the visit by the Director, Agriculture Services, Dr. Roland Gbarabe and the Director Engineering Services, Engr Quadri Olatubosun, and other staff of the Agency.
Amgbare explained that the NDBDA is an intervention agency and appealed to partner with the state government for greater food production for the people.
The NDBDA boss also said that the agency’s farms are in several communities in the state, including Orogun, Obodo, Isiokolo, Koko and Imensi farms in the Idemili area office of the Authority.
“As a Basin Authority, we must collaborate with the state government. It is an intervention agency. We need you to partner with us to produce food for the people.
“Please give us all necessary support,” Amgbare appealed.
In his response, Onyeme said the state government has so much interest in food security as it has even set up committees in this regard with him as chairman of the committee,
He said the state government was prepared to assist the agency to succeed in its drive to achieve its major goal of producing abundant food in the state.
“We have so much interest in food security. The state government has even set up two committees to boost food security in the state.
“I am a farmer. Your presence in 18 LGAs in the Niger Delta is huge. The Delta state government is hundred percent willing to partner with the NDBDA,” he stressed.
He further assured the MD/CEO that the state government will be available to attend to any area of the Agency’s needs.
“Furnish us with your locations and how we can partner with you. With our committee on food security, we will need experts from other areas to put us through.
“It will also make the dividends of democracy get to the people, with our combined efforts we will be able to provide food for our people.
“By your visit, a very important collaboration between Delta state government and the NDBDA has taken place today,” the deputy governor pledged.
Amgbare, also visited the Orogun and Isiokolo area offices of the agency during the tour in the state.
Amgbare was received by Chief Wilfred Oliseneku, President-General of Emonu Community Orogun and members of staff of the agency’s Orogun office.
The MD expressed delight at the presence of massive assets of the agency in the area and promised to make them functional soon.
He said the vision of the agency is to revive the various farm products in the area offices where there is a massive market and a hub of farm produce for buyers.
“I am happy to see the wonderful assets here. For us , it is to make them work. We should see people here, build a market, make it a hub “, Amgbare said .
At the Isiokolo farms of the Agency, the MD commended staff for making the place functional despite the challenges before them .
He assured them of the agency’s readiness to revamp the place through renewed funding to achieve the desired food security.
He said the agency’s collaboration with the state government will bring better results soon .
The NDBDA boss was received by Mr. Urang Desmond, the area manager and staff of the office.
The MD was also at the famous Peremabiri rice farm in the Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa where he disclosed plans to revive the farm.
He also appealed for cooperation from indigenes of the community to make the plans to revive the farm, a reality.
