By Austin Ogwuda
Chairman of the Delta Obidient Elders’ Council, Chris O. O. Biose has called on the Delta State government to jettison the proposed idea of establishing ranching in the State.
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu had while addressing the press on Monday said,
“We are pursuing both security and job creation by targeting ranching and other agro-industrial investments. Our discussions in Brazil are progressing very well, and we are optimistic about the outcomes”.
But in a swift reaction, Biose wrote thus: “Ranching is a private business that could make significant contribution to the economy of Delta State.
*Chairman of the Delta Obidient Elders’ Council, Chris O. O. Biose
“Commissioner Charles Aniagwu is unquestionably an eloquent orator and excellent marketer. But if I understand him correctly that the Delta State Government plans to engage in ranching business, no rational mind would take him seriously.
“When I visited the Delta State-run Agricultural Development Program (ADP) along Asaba-Ibusa road sometime ago, I found that the gigantic project has been overtaken by thick bush. The transport business hitherto owned by Delta State Government known as Delta Line was run aground in spite of hundreds of millions of Naira invested in purchase of new vehicles until it was handed to private individuals in cloudy circumstances. The extensive palm plantations in Delta State established by military regimes and the UPN Government in the early 1980s have all been run down and handed over to private interests.
“The Skill Acquisition Centre that was established by the Delta State Government and well-equipped along Asaba-Benin Expressway, near Issele-Uku, has been overtaken by a forest.
It is therefore untenable for any patriotic citizen that means well for Delta State to suggest that the Delta State Government should engage in any new business venture that is sure to end up in financial ruins and in private hands.
“Commissioner Aniagwu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, should perish the idea of any further waste of public funds on business ventures.
“On the issue of closing the gap in protein deficiency in Delta State”, Biose went on, “there are thousands of Deltans in the riverine parts of the State who can be supported and empowered with technical skills and equipment to expand their fishing ponds in order to produce sufficient sea foods for Delta State and beyond”.
