The Ogun State Government through the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BOI) has perfected plans to commence an empowerment programme for residents of the State to raise 6, 000 broilers with a view to promoting agricultural practices to reduce unemployment.
The Coordinating Director and newly appointed Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Olatunbosun Mosunro, stated this while responding to questions from members of the State House of Assembly Committee on Finance and Appropriation on the 2019 budget performance, explaining that the programme which was an intervention programme in poultry farming would help raise over 6, 000 broilers that would avail participants credit facility from the Bank of Industry.
Explaining that BOI was conducting data and claims verification of applicants who were sorted through various commodity association and unemployment data of the Ministry, Alhaji Mosunro noted that the programme would complement the various empowerment programmes earlier carried out by the Ministry to ensure youth empowerment and food security in the State.
He also disclosed that the Ministry also embarked on another special project including poultry project at Odeda, cluster fish farm situated at Ikenne and Imasayi respectively.
In another development, efforts are in top gear for the Ogun State Government to commission Igbeba- Ijebu Ode and Ijebu Mushin Owu/Ikija roads to ease mobility in the areas.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Rural Development, Rev Gbele Olugbebi said that the two roads were among the 25 selected and advertised semi-urban roads by the State government, with an emphasis that consultancy for the preliminary concept had been advertised in preparation for physical implementation of the 500km of rural roads targeted under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP).
He explained that approval had been granted for the construction of solar powered boreholes in 15 rural communities across the State as well as assessment survey on the effect of the 85kwp solar hybrid mini grid electrification project on the livelihood of residents of Gbamu Gbamu in Ijebu East Central LCDA.
Other agencies that appeared before the lawmakers for the budget appraisal included the State Forestry Plantation Project Area J4 and other agro-allied agencies, State Water Corporation, Ministry of Youth and Sports, State Sports Council, State Stadia in Sagamu Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode and Ilaro amongst others.
Packaged by Hazeez Ayansola
