Ex-Militants benefit from Federal Govt Amnesty, Songhai Agricultural scheme

Over 70 ex-militants at George Ama,  in Okirika Community of Rivers State, have been empowered by the Federal Government through its youth empowerment programme.

The programme which was in partnership with Songhai Rivers Initiative, the training arm of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency,  RSSDA, successfully trained 73 delegates out of 105 engaged.

In his address,  the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd) , said the Federal Government has embarked on empowering youths theough agriculture and aqua culture as alternative to oil.

Boroh revealed that the importance and use of oil is diminishing,  so the need for the development of the agricultural sector.

He stressed that the idea is to ensure that other youths who are not part of the amnesty programme also benefit.

At the palace of the Head of the Dokube war canoe House of Okirika,  High Chief Bar. Richard Akuro George , Dokube V1, at George Ama,  Boroh who led his entourage on a courtesy visit,  urged chiefs and elders to encourage youths to enroll in the military and other armed forces as a way of developing manpower in the region.

He assured them of the completion of ongoing road construction by NDDC and also gave the hint that in a short time, there will be constant electricity supply which will boost local businesses.

Responding to his guests. High Chief George commended the synergy between the Amnesty office and the RSSDA, stating that the Niger delta problem should be tackled holistically devoid of partisan politics.

At the Inspection and handover ceremony of fish pond and poultry farms, to members of Agro Farm 105 cooperative farm, the Farm Manager of Songhai farms Initiative, Tammy Jaja, commended the federal government for focusing on agriculture.

His Words, ‘Recall, we were commissioned by the Presidential Amnesty Programme to carry out a life changing capacity building and orientation programme in agribusiness for a total of 105 delegates. This assignment was further progressed to establishing viable farms for each delegate.

‘Sir, kindly note that, out of the 105 target delegates assigned to us, we have successfully completed and stocked a total of 73 agribusinesses comprising of 53 Sole Business Units and a Cooperative farm comprising of 20 delegates.

Break down of Business areas are:

S/N	DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS ENTERPRISE	NUMBER
1.	Fish farming	37
2.	Piggery	5
3.	Poultry	11
4.	Cooperative (Fish & Poultry)	20

 

‘Sir, Kindly permit me to talk further on the Cooperative Farm where we are currently located. The Presidential Amnesty Programme identified Cluster /Cooperative farms model as a viable means for sustainable empowerment of it delegates.

‘Songhai/RSSDA therefore found it worthwhile to bring forward this centre in Georgeama Community, for establishment, under the Presidential Amnesty Programme as Farm Cluster System with a view to enhancing sustainability and growth of the Cooperative Model of Farming.

‘The Agro Farmers 105 Cooperative Farm is the registered name of the Cooperative Model Farm located here in Georgeama Okrika LGA.

‘This cooperative farm is conceptualized as an integrated farm using the Songhai Concept. We are therefore pleased to introduce the Agro Farmers 105 Cooperative as the 1^st cooperative cluster farm model being established under the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

The Agro-Farmers 105 cooperative currently has 20 persons under its membership.

The features & infrastructure include;

1. 30 Ponds
2. Run-off Earthen Pond
3. 5000 Bird poultry (Broiler, Layers etc.)
4. Free Range Section
5. Cropping Section
6. Processing Section
7. 1 Admin/sales Office
8. 2 Feed Stores
9. 2 Implement Stores
10. Control Room
11. Labourline
12. Meeting hall
13. Generator and Security units.

The Agro Farmers 105 Cooperative farm is being delivered using the following strategies.

 1^st Strategy – Zero waste Technology

The Songhai Integrated/Zero Waste technology has been adopted in the design and operation modeling of the farm. This involves the use of waste material in one section as a critical input in another.

2^nd Strategy – Enhanced Stocking

‘Songhai understands and appreciates the determination of the leadership of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and Federal Government to bringing sustainable benefits to the people of the Niger Delta.

‘It is on this note that we proposed to increase the expected stock volume, with a view to boosting the income levels for our delegates. We believe that this strategy will accelerate the production volume and improve revenue streams.

‘Sir, to be specific, we have increased the stocking plan as follows;

1. Fish: From 1000 fingerlings to 2000 post fingerlings. The Cooperative will in addition have a run-off earthen pond stock with tilapia and catfish.
2. Poultry: 100 layer DOCs to 100 Point of Lay Birds and an additional 200 broilers. Free range birds will also be given the each delegate.
3. Piggery: 10 Piglets will have in addition 2 adults Sows and a visiting Boer to service the Sows
4. Crop Section: Planting of Cucumber, Pepper, Pumpkin and Okra in locations with available cropping land.

3^rd Strategy – Staggered Stocking Plan

The 3^rd strategy being the most critical component allows for a consistent and sustainable commercial production all year round. This will be achieved by running a staggered stocking and harvesting plan.

Under this strategy and the enhanced stocking, we intend to commence sales of;

• Eggs by 1^st of November 2017
• Smoked Fish in December 2017
• Broilers in December 2017
• Vegetables in December 2017

Our Sales day at the Cooperative shall be programmed for Tuesdays and Thursday weekly.

4^th Strategy – 12 months Handholding

‘We have decided to carry out a minimum of 1 year handholding and mentorship process as we are determined to see through the success of this laudable initiative.

‘Finally, I will like to express our profound gratitude to you and the Presidential Amnesty office for considering us worthy to partner with the Presidential Amnesty office in this Agribusiness entrepreneurial training and Empowerment programme for youths in the Niger Delta. It is unarguable that this programme has the potentials of not only providing a sustainable means of livelihood to its beneficiaries but will also expand the socio-economic bandwidth of the region. In a short while from now, the results of our collective efforts will manifest positively to the admiration of all. Thank you and God bless!’.

Earlier, the entourage including a major Stakeholder from the Niger Delta Region, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe had paid a courtesy visit to High Chief Ateke Tom at Ochochiri.

some pictures from the event: