.. LAMENTS HIGH COST OF FOOD ITEMS
Worried by unprecedented high cost of food items in the state and obvious lack of interest in agriculture and farming by teachers and students, the Imo State House Of Assembly has cried out to the State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma to immediately intervene, by ensuring that Agriculture is made a priority, to avert catastrophic consequences. Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Nkwerre State Constituency, Hon Chisom Ojukwu, who is a lawyer added that the lack of interest in farming in the primary and secondary schools in the state is responsible for the skyrocketing price of food items. This he said was already affecting negatively the people of Imo State, the majority of whom are finding it difficult to feed.
According to Hon. Ojukwu, the lacuna created in not participating in agriculture and farming gave room for most of the agric and farm produce to be imported into the state from other parts of the country. This, he argued, is the cause of the high cost of food items, due to its landing cost. The outspoken lawmaker therefore called on the state government to immediately intervene by once again making agriculture a priority and avert catastrophic consequences, which may lead to widespread famine, diseases and societal collapse. “There is no ambiguity in our Motion. It is clear and simple. The global food crisis cannot be over emphasized. Our schools need to return to their demonstration farms, while our families should be encouraged to have farms at the backyards. Farmers need grants and seedlings to make headway”, Hon Ojukwu cried out.
The Motion which was seconded by the Member Representing Orsu State constituency and House Committee Chairman on Agriculture, Rt Honourable Engr Uche Francis Agabige, was co-sponsored by 6 lawmakers.
In their submissions, the legislators commended their colleague, explaining that agriculture used to be the main stay of Imo economy, but some of the youths abandoned it, only to embrace unwholesome activities. However, they all agreed that the only solution to the present food scarcity in Nigeria, in general and Imo State, in particular, is agriculture. Having made substantial contributions, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, put it to vote and it was unanimously endorsed.
Thereafter, Mr Speaker ruled as follows: Be it resolved by this Honourable House urge His Excellency Governor Hope Uzodimma to:
A. Immediately direct the Ministry of Education to ensure demonstration farms are restarted in our various Primary and Secondary Schools in the State.
B. Direct the Ministry of Agriculture to immediately interface with our local farmers across the State, and seek ways to improve farming, and provide necessary logistics for them such as grant, seedlings, manure etc.
C. Reactivate Imo Marketing Board to ensure the continued support to Imo residents through storage and distribution of food items and commodities in order to increase our food reserve and ultimately alleviate the suffering of our people.
D. Direct the relevant Agencies and Ministries to look into the Rubber Plantations in Imo State, in order to ensure they are working optimally to increase production as this will boost employment and generate more revenue for the State and also to facilitate the revamping of Avutu Poultry in Obowo, as these are some of the ways to prioritise agriculture in Imo State.
Thereafter, the Speaker directed the Clerk to communicate the resolution of the House to the Governor.
