By Barth Ozah
Delta State Government has disclosed that plans are underway for the recruitment of additional 70 Livestock Management Officers (DSLMO), to ensure security of farmers in the state, a move it said was to boost food sufficiency in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Barr. Val Ada Areyinka revealed the plans when he played host to the Asaba Correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists NUJ who were on a courtesy visit.
He pointed out that the 70 DSLMO were in addition to the 50 earlier employed to curb criminality of herders who move about with dangerous weapons, noting that as a state, “we have earlier recruited 50 DSLMO and now we are engaging additional 70 officers to monitor farming activities across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.
He pointed out that, “But I think those who are involved in the herders crisis are pure criminal elements pretending to be herders and it is within the domain of the Federal Government to address such challenges.”
The Commissioner who stressed the need for journalists practicing in the state to embark on farming as a way to supporting themselves, noted that various empowerment programmes of the ministry initiated by the government can only be access by those in farming activities in the state.
Areyinka explained that the government is working hard to curb the menace of herders crisis through community engagement, collaboration and deployment of DSLMO officers, urging the federal government to deal with the criminal herders who go about with dangerous weapons.
“This visit is very important to me, I don’t take it likely because through you the public get to know what we are doing. I appeal to you to always verify your report before you publish.” He added.
Earlier, the Chairman, Asaba Correspondent Chapel, Mr. Ifeanyi Olannye, had commended the commissioner for his timely approval of the visit even as he appealed to the commissioner to carry the chapel along in the empowerment programmes of the ministry.
He pointed out that the media is the only arm of government saddled with numerous challenges without support saying, “the visit was to congratulate you on your appointment and to also strengthen partnership with the ministry in terms of adequate coverage of its activities.”
He urged the commissioner to explore and deploy all resources towards attaining the food security and the jobs creation mandate in line with the Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E Agenda mantra.
Olannye also called on the commissioner to involve journalists in its activities and empowerment programmes, adding that hunger does not respect tribe, gender, language, profession or political parties.