Niger Delta
22, 566 Farmers Benefit From Fadama Programme In C’River
The Coordinator of Fadama III project in Cross River, Mr Bassey Elemi, has said that 22,566 farmers have benefited from the fadama programme since its inception in the state in 2009.
Elemi told newsmen in Calabar, that the beneficiaries comprised of 17, 640 male and 7, 560 female farmers.
He said that a mid-term evaluation of the programme in the state had shown that 79 per cent of Fadama Users Groups were satisfied with its implementation, especially the maintenance and utilisation of community infrastructure and capital assets.
“More than 79 per cent of the Fadama User Groups in the state are satisfied with the operations and maintenance of the project, while 81 per cent were satisfied with utilisation of facilities provided by the programme”, Elemi added.
He said a total of 768 projects were undertaken under the programme in the 18 local government areas of the state.
These projects, according to him, comprised of crop production, fisheries, processing, livestock development and small scale community-owned infrastructure, among others.
Elemi said that the Fadama programme was partnering with other institutions in the state to strengthen the implementation of its projects across the state.
“We partner with the Department of Cooperatives to train our cooperative societies on cooperatives management and with USAID to train our farmers on the Nigerian Agriculture Enterprise Curriculum.
“We also partner the Global Environment Facility to implement various projects under the sustainable land management programme,” he stated.
The coordinator identified delay in the release of counterpart contribution by communities, the fadama groups and local councils as a major challenge to the programme.
Elemi noted that the 18 councils in the state were yet to pay their counterpart contributions for 2009, 2010 and 2011, stressing that the payment of the funds was a condition for the commencement of any project.
He, however, stated that the state government had been paying its contributions, adding that this had facilitated the progress the project has so far recorded in the state.
“I must say that even with the paucity of funds in the state, the state government has tried in the payment of counterpart funds.
“The state government paid N15 million in 2007, N56.9 million in 2008 and N56.9 million for 2009. The government is only owing for 2010 and 2011, and the governor has given approval for release of the funds”, he said.
Elemi disclosed that the state had been selected to benefit from the newly introduced Fadama Information and Knowledge Services (FIKS).
“FIKS is a Japanese government-supported grant to assist Fadama implementation through ICT”, the coordinator said.
He recalled that the state had recently won the best performing state in the South South zone, in the implementation of Fadama III projects.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.