Date: 2018-01-27

Worried by the inability of most Local Government Councils in Nigeria, to meet their obligations, the Kwara State House of Assembly, has called on all 16 Local Government Councils in the State, to embark on aggressive farming to improve their socio- economic wellbeing.

The resolution was sequel to a Motion on " Farming as Sustainable Alternative for Local Government Councils in Kwara State " raised by a member representing Kaiama/ Kemanji/ Wajibe Constituency, Hon. Ahmed Ibn Mohammed, at the floor of the House.

The Speaker, Dr. Ali Ahmad, while reading the resolutions of the House, described farming as a lucrative venture, which according to him, had the capacity to bail out Councils from their current predicaments.

The Legislature equally enjoined the state government to facilitate acquisition of land and other incentives, to launch Councils into agriculture driven economy, as well as strengthen Youth Agricultural Empowerment Scheme to check growing youth unemployment in the State.

The House according to the Speaker, also directed its Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources to invite all the Council Chairmen, Officials of the State Ministries of Agriculture, and Local Government for briefing and visit to Dodo Integrated Farm, to inspire Councils into embarking on agribussiness, to check over dependence on Federation Account for survival.

Hon Ibn Mohammed, had while raising the Motion, observed among other things, that over reliance of councils on Federation Account had led to decay of infrastructure, frustrated workforce and hopeless populace at the third tier of government, pointing out that there were numerous incentives which farmers can access, to enhance their productive.

Other members, who spoke on the Motion, enumerated the numerous opportunities in farming, and emphasised the need for Local Government Councils and Youths in the State, to key in, to further enhance their wellbeing.