EKPAN/Nigeria: The Deputy Governor of Delta State, Deacon Kingsley Otuaro, said the government of Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa will continue to support young people in the state in the areas of agriculture to boost their earnings.
Deacon Otuaro gave the assurance during an inspection visit to the management of Flour-Bentam Agro-Fish Farm Nigeria Limited, Okpuku Aragba, Ekpan, Off Jakpa Road, in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State.
He said that the state government would no more watch the youths remaining idle but would encourage then in productive ventures to fend for themselves and their families.
The deputy governor who fielded questions from journalists after being conducted round the fish farm cluster by Mr Philips Mutu, the Chief Executive Officer of the farm, said he was glad to see the good works the proprietor’s initiative run in line with the state government by fending for himself and many others that he had removed from the streets.
Deacon Otuaro said, “On what we have seen here today, we are much exited. Like the Commissioner of agriculture has said, yes, this initiative merits our support. And supporting this well intended, hardworking gentleman as we have seen is going to be encouraging and that will stand as an example to many others, because we cannot afford to fold our hands akimbo as a people or maybe working in the street of our cities, our nations looking for a job opportunity that are not just available ”
“We must just try the best we can to fend for ourselves and members of our family by looking inward doing things that are productive that can really add value to our family, our society as well. This is very heart warming. We will ensure as government and articulate comprehensively the needs just as he has told us today here. So that this could be an encouragement to many of our young people. “He added
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Julius Egbedi, on his part, was also delighted with the progress of Mr Mutu on his farm, and commended the deputy governor for being part of the tour and to see what was on ground at Uvwie.
He stressed “We have gone to several farms, but what we have here is unique. Young man, you have done very well. If you listen to his address carefully, you will be discovered that one of the cardinal programmes the Governor has is exactly what he has done here. The Governor is doing everything possible to empower our youths in the areas of agriculture. In our fish programme, exactly what he has done here, is what we are doing.”
He assured the CEO of fish farm that shortly they would get back to him and articulate areas where the government could assist to enable him forged ahead faster and as well continue to give jobs to more Delta State youths.
Mr Philips Mutu, expressed his appreciation to Delta government for finding him worthy of government presence in Uvwie local government area to inspect his farming activities.
He explained that he made his first attempt at fish farming 12 years ago, after securing a job at the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) but discovered that his pay packet could not sustain him and his family.
“I have to think for some other positive way out to argument my salary until I met a dear friend who introduced me into this fish farming business. But my first attempt was catastrophic. I couldn’t make any profit. As a man with vision and courage, I had to continue with all vigour until we are now where we are today making it very well to the glory of God,” Mr Mutu said.
He stated that he had about 50, 000 tons of various speeches of fishes with each specie hatching about 10, 000 tones each and many staff on his pay roll before the advent of the COVID 19 PANDEMIC that had reduced his staff strength.
Mr Mutu added that he thought it wise to approach the government to come to his rescue hence he took the bold initiative by reaching us to the corridor of government to come to his assistance financially for more output and increase job opportunities for the youths.
According to him, “The government has been supporting farmers. I really need your support so that we can take this farm to an enviable height where we can provide more jobs opportunities to the youths and as well encourage them to go into farming too. There are lots of money in agriculture. But our major challenge is funding. We need the government to support us.”
He stated that since they started farming in the area, no youth has harassed or intimidated them from carrying out their activities, rather they had been cordial and friendly with all the farmers in that cluster.
The CEO however appealed to the state government to assist them in clearing the blocked water channel from the main river which he said n the past aided them with good water supply.
