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The Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Hon. Prophetess Atinuke M. Witherspoon led Members of the Committee on Agriculture on a familiarization visit to the State Ministry of Agriculture earlier today at the Ondo State Agricultural Development Project Building, Alagbaka, Akure.
The visitation which was led by the Chairman of the Committee had in attendance the Vice Chairman of the Committee Hon. Akinsuroju Nelson, the Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole Emmanuel, Hon. Chief Oshati, Hon. Agbulu Temitope, Hon. Barrister Afe Felix, Hon. Oladapo Abiola and Hon. and Hon. Suleiman Muritala. The Honorable Mamebers of the Ondo Assembly were introduced by the Committee Clerk, Mrs Adeolu.
In the opening remark and welcome address, the Head of Animal Husbandry, Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Ojo RS introduced principal officers and directors of the Ministry and its Agencies/Departments. These include: the Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Olayato Aribo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mr Edward Ogunmola the SPC, FADAMA Projects, Mr Olatunji, Director of Agric Input, Mr Akinyua, Director of Programmes, Mr Babalola Adeniyan and other directors. He also congratulated the Honorable Members in their election victories into the Assembly.
While addressing the Ministry, the Chairman appreciated the commissioner on the warmth reception. She stated that the essence of the visit is to familiarise the Committee with the Ministry. She further added that the Committee is ready to partner with the Committee for effective delivery of services to the good people of Ondo State. She also described the commissioner as a man of purpose who is a prosperous business tycoon. She lauded the commissioner’s brilliance and intelligence in handling affairs of the Ministry.
Similarly, a member of the Committee, Hon. Chief Oshati thanks the Ministry and its Directors. He thereby asked for the modus operandi of the Ministry so as to abreast Members of the Committee on how the Ministry operates.
The Honorable Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon Olayato Aribo appreciated the Ondo State House of Assembly for its ceaseless partnership and supports. He also commended the Chairman of the Committee for her effulgence. He noted that Hon. Prophetess Atinuke Witherspoon is a woman of substance who has sterling records.
Hon Olayato Aribo added that the Ministry has lots of agencies and department working hand in hand for maximum outputs and delivery.
“The core objects of the Ministry is to ensure Agricultural development and improve in livestock, fishing, food production, animal rearing, improve diets of the populace through animal intake as well as transformation of agricultural activities from subsistence to commercial. However, due to shortage of funds, we are yet to arrive at our desired outcome on commercial scales.”
Hon. Oyato meticulously explained the various functions of the agencies and departments under the ministry.
“The Ministry has some agencies and departments with their underlined functions. For instance, FADAMA is active in most local governments in the state and it supervises agric activities. The Agric Development Project is saddled with the responsibilities of training farmers on new technology. We also have the Agric Input who assists in the construction of rural roads in order to have access to farmers. The agency has constructed the 37 roads. Similarly, the IFAD is another Agric Agency that trains youths and women as agroprenur. IFAD is in 10 local governments at the moment. The ADP monitors livestock and pigry production while the Ventinary looks into animal health. I must commend the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Odunayo Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON for his maximum support and creating an enabling environment for the Ministry. We are always here to cooperate with the Assembly.”
The Majority Leader of the Assembly, Hon Ogunmolasuyi Oluwole Emmanuel expressed his satisfaction with the performance of the Ministry. He however stressed that there are some laws in Ministry that need to be reviewed for effective performance. According to him, if there are good bills, the Ministry will thrive. Hon Ogunmolasuyi assured the Ministry that the Ondo State House of Assembly shall support the Ministry. He rounded off by applauding the commissioner’s excellence and thanked the directors for their deligence.
Similarly, Honorable Suleiman Muritala stated that Ondo State is an agrian state and there must be maximum reflection. He added that it is important that Agriculture is made the bedrock of the state economy. He emphasized that farming is the main occupation of his people in Akoko North West, hence, his Constituents must feel the impact of agric policies. The Ministry must therefore create a new template that will aid synergy between the ministry and the Assembly.
The Vice Chairman of the Committee, Hon Akinsuroju Nelson and his colleague, Hon Tope Agbulu beseeched the Committee to role out maps that will enhance the quality of service delivered by the Ministry to the good people of the Sunshine State. Hon. Agbulu noted that the budget of the Ministry should be considered outrightly.
The Chairman, Hon. Prophetess Atinuke M. Witherspoon assured the Ministry that the 10th Assembly shall always be on ground to ensure landmark performance. She emphasized that whenever the Committee comes for its oversight visitations and functions, there shall be commendable feats within its departments and agencies.
Ogunleye Busuyi Kehinde,
Aide on Media and Publicity,
Ondo State House of Assembly,
Owo Constituency 2
18th September, 2023
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