*THE NEW DAWN OF MECHANISED FARMING IN ONDO STATE, MY RESERVATIONS…. *Dr Akeredolu O.N.*
*With huge billions of naira that recently entered the state from the federation account as evidently disclosed by the federal government, this laudable program should be free for all at no cost; Ondo state should move from being lucky to Ondo is working. Also, attention should be paid to the moribundity of our health sector, probably the worst in the southwest*
I recently stumbled on the latest and welcome development in Ondo state in which our ministry of agriculture is alive to its responsibility of making tractors available in the state. No doubt, this is a heartwarming initiative, however, it would be better if the state government, under the current governor, makes known, the number of tractors, just purchased by his administration like other states e.g Niger and Yobe states, where these modern farming equipments were purchased, displayed and distributed in their hundreds.
In the same vein, I’m disturbed with the idea of individuals paying for the service, which may be another bottleneck to this laudable program, rather, the local governments should be encouraged to fuel the tractors for free, even the parliamentarians from the state (e.g house of assembly members, house representatives members and senators of which majority are dormant despite huge amounts of money received so far by them) can be brought on board to support in this long-awaited program for the benefit of our youths and state economy.
Considering the huge billions of naira that recently entered the state, as evidently disclosed by the federal government, the amiable governor can earmark the sum of 500 million naira for the fuelling of these tractors. In a nutshell, the state government has no reason to collect money for the project from the youths or other intending farmers, mostly that we need them to embrace this mechanized farming and the urgenct need to curb hunger in the state.
Moreover, the state government should ensure our interested teeming youths have access to some hectares of arable land across our forests in the state. The approach by the current government will fail as usual, I thereby employ Mr governor and his team to take this long-awaited program seriously
Mr. Governor should also ensure our moribund health sector is urgently revived; some state hospitals are worse than mortuaries, the emergency services are very poor, and most of the ambulances are not working. Ondo state should move from being lucky to Ondo is working.
*Dr Akeredolu O.N., a medical doctor, surgeon, Neurosurgeon in training*
