ONITSHA – An All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Board of Trustee member, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, has urged government to sustain ongoing agricultural progammes to reduce the impact of falling international oil prices.
Ezeonwuka made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Oba, near Onitsha, Anambra, on Thursday.
“Only agriculture and its agro-allied components will bridge the gap of fallen international oil prices on the nation’s economy,’’ he said.
He said that every individual in the country should strive to return to the farm.
“You would be insulated from the economic hardship if you have what you are producing or manufacturing to sell to others since the situation do not favour consumption lifestyle.
“The situation we are facing as a nation and individuals due to the falling international oil prices calls for more production.
“And the easiest productive venture one can go into that is less cumbersome is agriculture and agro-allied ventures.
“Everybody must trim down on expenses and face production squarely,’’ he said.
The APGA chieftain said that the country should be thankful to God for making the nation’s land “so fertile that you need minimal labour and input to have a bumper harvest.’’
Ezeonwuka called on youths roaming the streets and neigbourhoods aimlessly to roll up their sleeves and get ready to manage plantations and farms.
“They should go back to the farm and forget about white-collar or green-collar jobs, which the current situation would diminish the already existing ones.
“About two-third of the nation’s land is uncultivated, virgin and fertile and waiting for those that will tap its natural bounties.
“Just from Oba here down to Anambra State’s boundary with Rivers State; it is just endless untouched arable and fertile vegetation waiting to be exploited,’’ he said.
He noted that APGA-led administration would intensify efforts toward agricultural development, noting that God had given Nigeria the land to prosper and invent more from it. (NAN)
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