By Rotimi Ojomoyela
Ado Ekiti
The Regent of Orin Ekiti in Ido/Osi local government area of Ekiti state, Mrs. Bola Dada, has explained the need for the funding of the proposed irrigation project in the town for improved farming.
Speaking during the 2016 Orin Day held at the weekend, Mrs. Dada begged the state government, the senator representing Ekiti North, Mr. Duro Faseyi, and the House of Representatives member from the constituency, Chief Thaddeus Aina, to jointly fund the dam project to boost agriculture in the state.
She appealed to the Ekiti state government and members of the National Assembly from Ekiti North Senatorial District to provide the necessary enablement to kick start the project.
The regent said the Owena River Basin had based on request of the community did the feasibility studies on the possibility of constructing a dam in the town to boost irrigation farming , adding that what had been hindering the commencement of the project was lack of adequate funding.
Mrs. Dada also pleaded with Governor Ayodele Fayose to invest on the Orin Farm settlement located in the town and develop it to agro-business enterprise for improved food production in the state and to generate employment for the teeming youths.
She said: “We in the northern part of Ekiti has realised that the
global phenomenon of climate change has rendered rain-fed agriculture unprofitable. Owena River Basin has done its feasibility studies and what remains now is for it to be funded.
“Now that Nigerians are to focus on agriculture and several dams are being proposed for states, we appeal to our government and representatives to come to our aid, because gains from farming will become a collective gain for our dear state.”
President of Orin National Council, Mr. Yomi Bobadoye, appealed to the government to help in tarring Ido-Orin-Ifaki road to ease transportation and for farm products to be easily transported to the cities.
He appealed to the indigenes of the town to continue to support every developmental project mooted by the community, saying “this remains the only veritable avenue to fast-track development.”
