Delta State Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori on Thursday launched phase three of the state’s grains palliative distribution exercise.
He urged civil servants and other workers to engage in small-scale farming to help mitigate the growing hunger crisis in the country.
The event took place at the Delta Agricultural Procurement Agency Warehouse in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area.
Governor Oborevwori emphasized the importance of food security given the increasing hunger in Nigeria. He instructed the subsidy palliative distribution committee to include all farmers, noting that not all of them are members of farmers’ associations.
Governor Oborevwori said, “We have done the first and second phases. But we decided to do this very one in a grand style because, if you don’t announce yourself, nobody will announce you.”
He added, “All the things we have been doing for the past one year, we don’t even showcase them. Some people will not know that we are doing a lot. On the issue of palliatives, Delta State was the first in Nigeria to consider the Civil Servants.”
Addressing the impact of fuel subsidy removal, the governor outlined several measures his administration had taken to support civil servants. “When the issue of fuel subsidy removal came, we looked at it, it was a real hard time for our Civil Servants; we discussed and the first thing we did was to pay all the outstanding promotion arrears amounting to over N5.6bn. We didn’t even know how the future was going to be then.”
He continued, “At the critical time of the fuel subsidy removal, we also sat down and even with a lot of workers of 50,193. We also agreed that for the 50,193 workers, we will be giving them small stipends of N10,000 for three months. We did it and it cost the state over N1.5bn.”
Discussing the current phase of the palliative distribution, Oborevwori said, “As for the issue of this palliative, we shared it last year; we are here today to say we are grateful to God for what He has been doing for us. Today, we are going to flag off the distribution of the rice and maize that we have received.”
The governor detailed the received supplies: “We received 24,000 units of 25kg bags of rice from the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria RIFAN; we received 4,700 units of 25kg bags of Garri and 18,770 units of 50kg bags of maize from the National Emergency Management Agency and the National Security Adviser’s Office.”
He acknowledged the contributions of various donor agencies and recalled previous distributions: “Between August and September 2023, we received 17,400 units of 50kg bags of rice and 40,000 units of 50kg bags of maize in a joint venture with the Federal Government.”
Emphasizing inclusivity, he said, “I have told the SSG to ensure that this phase of distribution should get to even some notable farmers who do not belong to the different farmers’ associations. The committees at the Local Government Areas comprise the NLC, faith-based organizations, community Presidents-General, the traditional institutions, and NGOs.”
Highlighting an innovative strategy to encourage farming, the governor said, “We also took a decision that the Civil Servants from levels 1-14 should run shift. Monday to Wednesday, others Thursday and Friday. We have not even canceled it and we feel it’s an opportunity for them to go into farming.”
He further encouraged small-scale farming, stating, “There is no farming that is too small. We did that so that the money they would have used to buy fuel and come to work, they can save it and invest it in their farms. If everybody, the fifty thousand and something workers we have in this state, 60 percent of them are engaged in farming, there will be food sufficiency.”
Governor Oborevwori concluded by recognizing the efforts of a lecturer-turned-farmer: “I want to thank that lecturer who is a farmer. She has encouraged people to go into farming. Food is very important. We have fertile lands in Delta State.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare of its citizens: “As an administration that prioritizes the welfare of citizens, we shall continue to explore ways and means to expand our coverage and mitigate the current hardship thereby bringing succour to our people.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the State Subsidy Palliative Committee and Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, praised Governor Oborevwori for the 317 ongoing road projects across the state, 76 of which span 170 kilometers, initiated in the past year. Emu highlighted how these road projects have eased the transportation of farm produce and bolstered the state’s economy.
Representatives of the poultry, fishery, and piggery farmers—Chief Eric Tomfawei, Ogbueshi Adim Nwokobia, Dr. Amatu Edozie, Mary Odiatu, and Dr. Emmanuella Clinton—also lauded the governor’s support for farmers and pledged their commitment to sustainable food security in Delta State and Nigeria.