Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has pledged necessary collaboration with, and support to the Ministry of Water Resources and Anambra/Imo River Basin Development Authority as they embark on Green Rural Community Programme in the state.

The Governor spoke at the State Executive Chambers on Friday when the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Hassan Adamu and his team paid a courtesy call on him.

The Governor said he was pleased that the Green Rural Community Project is a private sector driven programme and that the government will give those behind it the necessary support and assistance to ensure that the programme comes to fruition.

Governor Uzodimma predicated the support on the fact that where the project is properly deployed it will help solve food scarcity, reduce youth restiveness, reduce unemployment, encourage good nutrition and also bring happiness to the citizens of Imo State.

He therefore charged those behind the programme to endeavour to replicate what they did in Port-Novo, Benin Republic in Imo State.

The Governor thanked the Ministry for giving Imo State the opportunity to host the signature programme, Songhai project, as a community project.

He reiterated that he is excited that the programme which has value chain will take care of food insecurity in Imo State in addition to "create jobs for our young men and women that are rooming the street."

"The beauty of the programme is that it is an A-Z solution meaning that it encompasses the value chain in agriculture and has the potential for sustainability.”

He thanked the Minister for supporting the initiative, noting that over time in the areas of water supply, hygiene, sanitation "once it concerns Imo State, the Minister drives it with passion which shows his interest in our state."

The Governor wished them the best of luck as they move to commission the project and encouraged them not to relent until they have achieved the target of the project.

For a successful execution of the said projects, Governor Uzodimma urged them to relate well with the host Communities in a friendly manner so that they do a seamless operation which will not generate rural crisis.

He further commended the Anambra/Imo River Basin Development Authority on the way and manner they have been conducting themselves and promised to continue to encourage partnership with the Private Sector as Government alone cannot solve the problem of the people.

Briefing the Governor on their mission to Imo State, the Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Adamu said it is in response to two different visits to his office, and that they are in Imo to commission the Green Rural Community Project which is a modern and sustainable agricultural route programme anchored by the Songhai Modern Farms in collaboration with the National Agricultural development Authority as well as some private sector involvement.

The Minister informed that the project is all encompassing, saying that in the process of carrying out the programme nothing is wasted, "rather all the by-products are applied in the value chain."

He noted that the advantage of the project to the host communities is huge as the farms are not only roots and grains but will include livestock farming.

He pledged to continue to collaborate with the Imo State Government in the various projects that will be carried out by the Anambra/ Imo River Basin Development Authority, in addition to supporting the State Government in any way his Ministry can to enable the Governor to continue the laudable projects he is doing in Imo State.

The Minister congratulated the Governor for the successful hosting of Mr. President who visited Imo State on Thursday and described the visit as a new dawn to Imo State in particular and South East in general.

He commended the Governor for the various projects commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari including the Executive Council Chambers which he described as an A+ quality edifice and requested the Governor to continue in his efforts towards giving his people good governance.

Present at the courtesy visit were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku, Senator Representing Imo North, Senator Frank Ibeziem, Managing Director Anambra/Imo River Basin Development Authority and his team, Dr. Paschal Dozie, Chief of Staff Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and other top Government officials.

•PHOTO: Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (left), Minister of Water Resources, Alhaji Suleiman Hassan Adamu (centre), Director General, Songhai Farms, Rev. Fr. Prof Godfrey Nzamujo (right) and others who paid a courtesy visit to the Governor at the Government House, Owerri . . . Friday

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