Labour Leaders Want FG to be More Committed to Agriculture

 

 

They said that it was pertinent for the country to increase its Gross National Products (GDP), as well as improve the lives of the citizens.

 

The union leaders were reacting to the statement by Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Finance Minister, who called for diversification of the nation’s economy.

 

Promise Adewusi, the Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), told newsmen in Lagos that the government should enhance mechanised agriculture.

 

He said that by doing so, the sector would be able to produce enough food to feed the nation.

 

``The food produced will not only serve the nation, but will also be exported to generate income for the country,’’ he added.

 

Adewusi noted that if enough fund was injected into the agricultural sector, it would be able to produce more food and positively affect other sectors of the economy.

 

He said that private sector operators were doing their best to invest in the agricultural sector, but that some of them were facing paucity of funds and poor infrastructure.

 

Also, Adetunji Adesunkanmi, the President of the Senior Staff Association of Communications, Transport and Corporations (SSACTAC), said that the economy would improve if the government diversifies to other sectors.

 

``Agriculture must be totally revived for the growth of our nation.

 

``We exported cocoa in the past. The Northern parts of the country had groundnut pyramids, while the East produced palm oil. All these have been neglected,’’ he said.

 

Adesunkanmi said that youths, who were riding motorcycles in the villages, could go into agricultural production if government could make it viable and provide the necessary infrastructures.

 

``Instead of riding motorcycles, these people can go back to the farms. People are looking for money and not working for money. People want to work in the oil industry without much contribution. This is sad,’’ he said.

 

Mr Gbenga Komolafe, the General Secretary of the Federation of Informal Workers of Nigeria (FIWON), also said that commitment to agriculture would guarantee food security.

 

He said that it would eliminate importation of some food items, generate employment and provide security for the nation.

 

He advised the government to provide massive infrastructure in the rural areas, particularly roads, to ensure that farm produce are effectively evacuated to markets in the urban areas.

 

Komolafe also said that diversifying the economy would enhance the provision of agro-allied products.