Enugu State Governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has assured government’s continuous support for rural farmers to reduce poverty and enable the IFAD/FGN programme to succeed in the area.
Governor Ugwuanyi gave the assurance when joint Federal Government and IFAD-VCDP Mid-term-review team visited him at Government House Enugu on a courtesy call.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, the governor, reiterated government’s commitment to continue to support IFAD-VCDP activities in the State because of the already visible accomplishments in the five LGAs of intervention in the State.
“Government is poised to support any agricultural Development Programme like VCDP because about 80% of the rural household in Enugu are farmers and so, should be supported through intervention like VCDP.
Addressing the team lead, the governor promised that government would do all at her disposal to support the State Programme Management Unit (SPMU) to effective delivery on the component activities of the Programme.
“Recall that when we came onboard in 2015, I stated that Enugu State is in the Hands of God and ever since then, that God has perfected the affairs of Enugu State.
“Enugu state is a peaceful state, one can comfortably come to Enugu and have his eyes closed while sleeping.
“I want to thank you, IFAD for coming with this Programme. I want to thank the Federal Government of Nigeria and IFAD for choosing Enugu. I know that IFAD is not in every State of the Federation. So it is actually a privilege that we consider ourselves very lucky that this Programme is going on in Enugu State.
He went further to say that poverty is a disease, adding that the Federal Government’s policy of confronting poverty is a means of ensuring that the disease went away.
“For the Federal Government to design this Programme, it is intended to answer the questions of global economic crises, poverty all over the world. We will not take chances and as a State, we will cease every opportunity of the moment and see what we can provide for our people in terms of enhancing their capacities towards putting food on their tables.
He commended the donor agency; IFAD. “We equally want to thank you for your kind words, you have spoken about the humble efforts we are making in ensuring that we keep pace with the Federal government’s demands and expectations of the participating states in this Programme. We can only assure you that we will do better. We want to assure you of the commitment of the state to continue to sustain what you are doing,” Ugwuanyi reiterated.
The IFAD mission team lead, Prof. Lemchi Jones in his remarks thanked Enugu State Governor for his support in Agriculture and promotion of the IFAD-VCDP in the state.
“We are here to share in the progress and mandate God has given you to lead Enugu State. We are also impressed by the quantum of support the government under the headship of His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (GburuGburu) has given to the Programme.
“Among the three new states that joined IFAD-VCDP, Enugu stands out. They were the first to be on their feet while other two states were struggling because of the stout support they received from the government. In short we are grateful and we extend the appreciation of the IFAD to His Excellency,” Lemchi asserted.
Professor Lemchi went further to appeal to the government on counterpart funding.
“This is very instrumental in driving the gains of the Programme. This is very important because when you profile the rural people and you give assurance that something is coming, it makes them eager to participate. IFAD will be glad to know that this issue of counterpart fund is met. This will equally reassure the people that the Programme they were suffering for that their hope was not lost and the state will continue to record high report by performance,” Lemchi appealed.
