The Rivers State Government has urged all farmers and fishermen in the State to gather whatever produce they have to their respective Local Government Chairmen at the centres designated by their Chairmen for immediate purchase.
The Secretary to the State Government Dr. Tammy Wenike Danagogo stated this shortly after the Inaugural meeting of the Committee to Purchase Food Stuffs from Farmers and Fishermen for Distribution to the Rivers State People at the Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday 7th April 2020.
According to Dr. Danagogo who is the Chairman of the Committee the essence is to make sure that our farmers and fishermen are empowered and encouraged to continue to produce what they are producing and to stockpile enough food stuff to enable us win the war against Covid 19 and looming starvation.
Dr. Danagogo who disclosed that his committee has started work immediately said all the Local Government Chairmen are expected to go back to their LGAs to start the process of engaging the farmers and fishermen to sensitize them to bring their products for purchase and onward distribution to the citizens and residents of the State.
In his remarks the State Commissioner for Information and Communications Pastor Paulinus Nsirim said the initiative of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike was primarily designed to ensure that nobody complains of hunger during this trying period.
He pleaded with the farmers and fishermen who would be approached at the various Local Government Areas that this is a time for sacrifice and selfless service and not a time for racketeering and hoarding of produce, stressing that the State Government would pay for all the products produce by the farmers and fishermen.
Also Speaking the State Commissioner for Agriculture Dr. Fred Kpakol said farmers and fishermen in the State should redouble their efforts to produce more, noting that agriculture remains a major policy thrust of the present Administration in the State.
