Herders Clash: Provide N2M Interest-Free Grants/Loans To Indigenous Deltan Farmers To Boost Food Security, Alleviate Hunger, Agberen Tells Oborevwori

By Daniel Dafe

Comr. (Amb) Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen, National Coordinator,
Initiative For Social Rights Concerns
And Advancement (ISRCA) AKA “No Justice, No Peace” has called on the Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori to provide Two million naira (₦2,000,000.00) interest-free grants/ loans to indigenous Deltan Farmers to boost food security and alleviate hunger, enhancing overall well-being, not limited to small scale businesses.

He said this in a statement made available to Oasis Magazine on Wednesday.

According to him, “with the recent increase in insecurity in the state due to herdsmen challenges in various communities across local government areas, occupational farmers and impoverished families who heavily rely on agriculture for sustenance have been severely impacted.”

He continued: “The indigenous population has been subjected to frequent attacks, kidnäppĩngs, kiłłings, and the girl child and mothers have been victims of räpe in their farmlands.

“These unaddressed concerns have denied farmers the opportunity to engage in farming activities due to the fear of falling victims to these escalating problems. Consequently, it has become imperative for the Delta State Government to provide financial assistance to indigenous farmers across various communities in the form of loans or grants, thereby enabling them to navigate these challenging times while the State Government, in collaboration with security agencies, implements measures to combat this menace and bring it under control.”

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Furthermore, he said “considering the unemployment ratios and the economic downturn affecting the majority of Deltan youths, which has led to increased numbers of various crimes, drűg abũse and prostitution among teenagers and average girls, it becomes more concerning for the State Government to consider providing a two million naira loan as grants to indigenous people of Delta, regardless of age or, better still, from ages 19 to 49 years.”

He said that “with specified requirements, the public should be able to walk into accredited banks approved by the Delta State Government to directly access these loans, as these are some of the few benefits people can derive from governance.”

“Typically, in the form of social security welfare, these aspects of governance constitute citizens’ rights, but the state and federal governments have failed to provide the fundamental necessities for democratic governance. Undoubtedly, a vast number of people are frustrated by the demands of daily survival, which has driven many to engage in dűbiøus activities to survive, while others are depressed and pushed to the extreme.

“Over time, when such opportunities have arisen in previous administrations, the majority of people who require assistance often fail to receive it due to an unorganized process, limited availability to a select few, or distribution based on political party affiliations as a form of compensation,” he added.

Continuing, he said “the Delta State Governor, his execellency; Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori should consider exploring multiple viable options, this in particular, as a measure to lessen the severity of hűnger, insecurity and unemployment, which would significantly enhance the welfare of the general populace, providing them with the opportunity to thrive for better living conditions.”