.
By Frank Iroroh
The need to formulate Anioma policy objectives is compelling and necessary to exploit and maximize the full potentials in Aniomaland (human and material resources) for the growth and development of Anioma state.
There are many policy areas to discuss, however, the writer will limit this article on key areas of significance to the survival and wellness of Anioma people. The areas of grave concern to Anioma people as far the writer is concerned are:
- Rural Infrastructure
- Agriculture/Agribusiness
- Security and
- Sports development.
1. RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Many Communities in Delta North (Anioma) are completely cut off from the rest of the world, they are inaccessible by roads.
90% of the communities in Ndokwa East are not accessible by roads during rainy seasons, some residents of these communities had to ferry across the River Niger to Ogbaru, before coming to Asaba.
Same applies to some communities in Oshimiii South, Aniocha North and Ika South Local Government Areas. Lack of motor-able roads make it difficult for these agrarian communities to transport their farm produce to urban cities, resulting in high cost of food items in the urban areas, whilst they rot away in the villages.
Other social amenities like health facilities, markets, lights, portable drinking water, and good learning environments, are off the mark in these communities. People living in rural areas of Aniomaland are virtually left behind.
Anioma State should formulate policies that carry every community along, provide the basic amenities that will enable them to live and thrive in their communities in their own ways.
2. Agriculture And Agribusiness.
Anioma has rich fertile soil suitable for the cultivation of varieties of food and cash crops. It has vast fallow lands, and the population needed to be self-sufficient in food production.
It is very unfortunate to observe that Delta state does not have a defined and clear Agricultural policy.
Permit me to relay a bizarre story of a young man who wanted to go into Agribusiness.
The man rented several acres of land, prepared it for planting and went to the local office of Delta State Ministry of Agriculture to purchase seedlings of improved corn varieties. He paid twenty thousand naira to purchase some kilograms and used labor to plant the corn on his farm. He came back to check the farm after 10 days only to discover in horror that none of the corn he planted germinated. The Delta State Agric Department sold the young man expired seedlings.
This shows the premium Delta state government is paying to food security in the state.
In the 80s, we had an Agricultural Developments Program (ADP), with offices across the senatorial districts in the then Bendel State, there is one at Ibusa, stocked with supplies like fertilizers, herbicides and seedlings, which farmers can access to get what they want.
There were also Agric Extension Workers, who played advisory roles to farmers on modern farms techniques.
Nothing like that again in today, Delta State.
In the northern states like Niger State, every Local Government Council has tractors and other farm implements, available for farmers to hire to work their farms.
Here in Delta State, there is nothing to encourage Agribusiness, the administration of Delta State over the years only focused on adhoc programs like Songhai and other Agric training that has zero impact on food production in the State.
Anioma State should focus on mechanized communal Agriculture for mass production of food products.
Agribusiness Agribusiness in today’s world is all embracing with value-added chains involving crop production, processing, packaging and distribution of Agricultural produce, this is a huge chain of business concern, capable of employing thousands of Anioma youth.
Agro processing factories should be a priority for Anioma State.
3. Security
Security of life and properties is a primary responsibility of the government, though security is a major national issue, Anioma State should engage, train, equip and empower local vigilantes to act as the first line of defense in Anioma Communities.
- Grassroot Sports Development
Sports is one area where Anioma people excel. Sports talents abound in Aniomaland.
In Boxing, Tennis, Wrestling, Athletics, Football, Swimming, and Cycling, Anioma sons and daughters have held their heads high at national and international sports tournaments.
Today in Delta State, Sports is dead, there is nothing like grassroot sports, the popular catch them young programs of the then Bendel State fame is no more
Anioma state should focus on grassroot sports development programs, to hunt and spot potential sports talents, and train them to be useful to themselves, their families and the country.
On the final note, Anioma State should not be governed like Delta State, which is run like a rich estate inherited by prodigal children.
Along the line, a friend messaged me saying bro Frank, your proposal is nice but I think it is tantamount to placing a cart before the horse, why not wait until Anioma State is created before talking about policies. My candid reply to him was, as we prepare the horse, let’s build the cart and get all the supplies we needed for this destiny journey, because as soon as Anioma State is announced, attention will be focused on power struggle, everybody will be jostling for positions, nobody will pay attention to Anioma State policy and we cannot afford Anioma State of personal agenda. So this is the right time to define the real Anioma Agenda, the policy objectives of Anioma State.
Frank Iroroh
Is a member of the Media and Communications Subcommittee of the Technical Committee on Anioma State Creation.
