By Emem Idio, Yenagoa

The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Beke Sese has expressed satisfaction with the activities of Livelihood improvement Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta, LIFE -ND, in the state, stating that the programme has laid the basic foundation for agricultural activities in the state.

Prof Sese made the remarks on Thursday when the LIFE-ND State Project Coordinator,.Dr Paniebi Ugo took him round the various projects and activities of the in the state in the past five years.

Some of the projects visited include poultry hatchery in Iminringi Community, Cassava processing factory,Oruma Community, 25 hectares of cassava farms in Oruma and Otuegwe II ,all in Ogbia Local Government Area. Others include market stalls and stores, Akenfa Community, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Fish Pond, Odi, Mini cassava processing mill, Odi, Lock up stores and stalls, Sabagreia Community, Solar powered bore hall, Okoroba Community, fish shed cluster, climate resistant culverts and fish processing cluster in Sampou Community all in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.

The Commissioner pointed out that the projects on ground is a demonstration of the fact that the LIFE -ND programme so far are on the right track and expressed the readiness of the state government to partner with the programme particularly in the area of massive garri production

Prof Sese said: “I’m very impressed with what I have seen so far, we have gone to Ogbia Local Government Area and have seen the Cassava processing mill and I saw the the facility has the capacity to produce significant bags of garri, I have a very passionate connection with my dream of having a Bayelsa Garri in commercial quantity in this country.

“And when I saw the cassava processing mill built by the LIFE -ND programme and the incubatees and incubators at work, I was quite impressed. I saw another one in Odi and Sabagreia Communities. Not only that, I was profoundly surprised when I saw the battery cages with over 6000 capacity with laying birds producing eggs. Anything that contributes to the governor’s mandate of increase food production in the state is dear to my heart.

“So seeing those projects on ground gives me the impression that LIFE -ND so far they are on the right track . Not only that, I was also opportuned to see markets stalls with lock up and open stores which will contribute to the economic of the families and people living in the community. I also saw a solar powered bore with clean water and all the people around there fetching water. In the nutshell, I will give them a pass mark.

” For the first time today I saw functional garri processing mill in about four places under the LIFE ND, that is one major achievement and it will translate to food in Bayelsa State. What about rice infact there are other areas, what about poultry, we also have robust plans for the poultry industry in the state because it is all encompassing, agriculture is a wide area and the mandate is to produce food and food we shall produce.

“Most of the facilities I visited, all that is required is to ensure that they are supported adequately to increase the output of their production. I will say that LIFE ND has laid the basic foundation for agricultural activities that will promote the livelihood improvement family enterprise and now we have to build on those foundation so the impact can be felt We need to add more value.”

In his remarks, the Bayelsa State LIFE -ND Coordinator, Dr Paniebi Ugo, said in just five years of existence the programme has a laid a solid foundation to boost agricultural activities in the state

“LIFE ND is just about five years in Bayelsa and we have laid a solid foundation to boost the agricultural sector in the state , with what we have achieved in just five years, I can beat my chest to say that LIFE ND has done very well, we have empowered over 5000 youths in 100 communities and given them inputs with support from the state government and most of them are doing very well.

“We are ready to do more and partner with the ministry of agriculture to build on those foundation . The commissioner has gone round on the spot assessment of what we have done and if there are rumours that LIFE ND has nothing to show, I think that we have proven those people wrong and I want to say that as we continue to partner and work closely with each other, the Prosperity Agenda in the agricultural sector will be turned around,” he stated.