Niger Delta
Famers Blame Govt For Cassava Glut
Farmers in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo, have attributed the current cassava glut in the area to the non-implementation of the government policy on the crop.
The Edo North Coordinator, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alhaji Abdulahi Mohammed, made the claim on Thursday in Auchi in an interview withnewsmen.
He said that farmers not only welcomed the policy but also embarked on massive planting of cassava.
Mohammed added that the current cassava glut in the area had resulted to low pricing of the commodity, a development he said, had compelled some of them to abandon the cassava on their farms.
The AFAN coordinator accused the Federal Government of “driving people into taking risk only to abandon them when at their hour of need”.
Mohammed said that for the government to be taken seriously, it must ensure that agricultural policies were pursued to a logical conclusion.
Reacting to the farmers’ complaints of cassava glut, Dr Martin Fregene, the Team Leader, Cassava Initiative of the Agricultural Transformation Action Plan (ATAP), said that the Federal Government had plans to mop up excess cassava from farmers for processing and export.
Fregene, told newsmen in Abuja on Thursday that government had also set aside a special fund to mop up excess cassava.
He said that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development had worked out modalities with some commercial banks to give loans to selected exporters to mop up the glut.
Fregene said the loan would also facilitate market outlets for excess cassava produced across the country and provide the opportunity for Nigeria to fulfill the agreement with China to supply one million tonnes of chips annually.
According to him, government plans to mop up four million tonnes of cassava before June.
He said that in line with efforts to prevent cassava glut, the ministry recently signed an MoU on cassava development with the Ondo State Government to establish three ethanol plants that would convert waste products from the plant to animal feed.
The team leader said that the government would also upgrade 25 moribund cassava processing mills located in various parts of the country.
He said that more than six major flour millers across the country had agreed to use 40 per cent of cassava flour for baking bread, adding that the initiative, would in the short term create jobs for 1.2 million Nigerians.
In the long term of the initiative, government would invite 18 large-scale cassava processing companies from China to process over four million tonnes of cassava annually, Fregene said.
He further said that said small-and medium-scale and 40 large cassava processing plants across the country would be upgraded to produce high quality cassava flour with the support of Chinese experts.
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.