Agriculture as a production of food and rearing of animals is important in the survival of mankind. Without agriculture existence of life will be very difficult. Apart from production of food, agriculture enhances foreign reserve of a nation.
The basic statutory obligation of any government is to facilitate development that will put smile on the faces of the masses.
Therefore, it is very necessary for government to venture into projects that will tackle under development.
For sometime now controversy trails the Banana Plantation in the Ogoniland. Some political leaders from the state namely: Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Supervising Minister for Education, Senator Lee Meaba, Bro. Felix Amaechi Obuah, the chairman Rivers State chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others have criticized Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for embarking on Banana Plantation in the Ogoniland. According to them, the said Banana Plantation would not improve the financial base of the state.
Now the question arises: Do we need Banana Plantation in this time of the development of the state?
Emphatically, the answer is No. There are certain on-going projects in the state that Rivers people do not want for now. For instance: the multi-billion naira colossal monorail project, and the Greater Port Harcourt City project. These two projects have frustrated the income of the state.
It is very sad to note that the government tactically diverted its eyes from projects that will positively touch the lives of the masses to embark on white Elephant projects that have gulped billions of naira from the state’s treasury. The Banana Plantation as far as I am concerned, it would not bring any good thing to the people of the state.
It is my advice that Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi-led administration should focus its attention on policies and programmes that will uplift the living standard of the people in the state. The Trans Kalabari High way should be completed as a matter of urgency to open up the rural communities for speedy development. Most of the rural communities are begging for government’s presence. It is disheartening to observe that there are so much poverty in the rural communities, while government is busying planting banana in Ogoniland. We need viable programmes that will place us on the speedy path of development. ####
Damiete West
08037502931
wdamiete@yahoo.com
