From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, made this assertion when the state chapter of the Nigerian Women in Agricultural Business (NIWAB) paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Yenagoa.

The Deputy Governor noted that agriculture is one of the pillars of the ASSURED Prosperity Agenda of the Governor Douye Diri-led administration, as it holds huge potential for the state.

Ewhrudjakpo, while stating that the key to industrialising Bayelsa lies in agriculture, emphasised the need for every stakeholder in the sector, including NIWAB, to maximally explore areas where it has a comparative advantage to achieve food security.

He commended NIWAB for its bold initiative to contribute to the agricultural revolution envisioned by the current administration and clarified that “henceforth, the government would only partner with serious-minded agricultural cooperatives to drive the process.”

Earlier in her presentation, the State President of NIWAB, Mrs Ebimotimi Leghemo, said women farmers in Bayelsa were ready to take full advantage of the fertile soil in the state to produce enough food to feed all Bayelsans and supply other states.

Mrs Leghemo, who disclosed that over 15,000 Bayelsa women had so far registered with NIWAB, declared the cooperative’s readiness to work with the Prosperity Administration in agriculture and solicited support from the government.

In another development, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo has charged the chairmen and executive secretaries of the various Local Government Healthcare Authorities (LGHAs) in the state to enforce strict discipline in the primary health sector.

The Deputy Governor, who gave the charge when he granted audience to the chairmen and executive secretaries during a courtesy visit, condemned the prioritisation of health infrastructure over its manpower needs in the country.

He noted that until the country gets its primary healthcare sector right, Nigeria’s overall healthcare delivery system will not make the desired progress.

Responding to the requests of the LGHA chairmen and secretaries, Senator Ewhrudjakpo assured them that the issues would be reviewed and addressed accordingly.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Dr Robert’s Director pointed out the operational challenges they are facing, such as the lack of office accommodation, official vehicles, and funds to carry out statutory functions, including executing emergency health intervention projects.