Delta Govt. inaugurates IFAD assisted LIFE-ND eco-friendly projects in rural communities

 

At the Inauguration of Market stalls and lockup shops built by LIFE-ND on Tuesday at Ekraka-Kokori, Ethiope East LGA, Delta

Infrastructure

By Ifeanyi Olannye

Kokori (Delta), Feb. 25, 2025(NAN) Delta Government on Tuesday, inaugurated economic friendly infrastructure, an International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) assisted Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises Project in the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) in two rural communities.

The projects are 20 open market stalls, 20 lockup shops, 8,000 litres solar powered borehole with treatment house and toilets facility  executed by LIFE-ND  at Ekraka community, Kokori, Ethiope East Local Government Area of the state.

Also, inaugurated are 50 tons production capacity per day mini oil palm processing facility with equipment, 20 open market stalls, 10 lockup shops, 8,000 litres solar powered borehole and toilets facility at Emu-Obodeti, Ndokwa West LGA.

IFAD assisted LIFE-ND market stalls project in Delta community.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects were sponsored under the tripartite programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN), Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Accordingly, the projects were collectively funded through a counterpart funding arrangement by the federal government, state government, participating communities, NDDC and the IFAD.

The projects were executed to enhance the commercial activities and living conditions of women and youths in the benefiting rural communities based on need assessment.

The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Val Arenyeka, who inaugurated the projects on behalf of the state government, lauded the programme for delivering the projects to enhance the livelihood of the people in the rural communities.

 Arenyeka, represented by his Personal Assistant, Mr Uche Egbuche, noted, that the projects were in line with the Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori’s M.O.R.E. Agenda as agriculture remains the vehicle through which the people could be impacted and their lives transformed.

According to the commissioner, the provision of clean water in the rural communities is a good development and the open market stalls and lockup stores will attract more people and open up the communities.

He, however, charged them to maintain the facilities and sustain it for greater development of the areas.

On his part, the State Project Coordinator, Mr Collins Ashoro, said that the Life-ND project has benefited no fewer than 4,373 individuals and implemented over 40 infrastructure projects across Delta.

He said the projects aligns with the President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the Gov. Sheriff Oborevwori M.O.R.E Agenda which was commited to improving the quality of life for families through agricultural empowerment.

 Ashoro, said that the LIFE-ND project is being implemented in 10 LGAs and 10 communities in each LGA, adding that the Ekraka-Kokori in Ethiope East and Emu-Obodeti communities in Ndokwa East LGAs met all eligibility criteria for the projects.

“The IFAD/FGN- assisted agricultural initiative is focused on transforming the rural economy by empowering targeted women and youths in the state.

“The project development objectives is aimed to enhance income, food security, and jobs creation for rural youths and women through sustained enterprise development in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

” The Ekraka-Kokori community selected the projects as their top priorities. The community is renowned for its production of vegetables such as okra, pumpkin leaves, tomatoes and peppers.

“The construction of a market for those activities is essential for the community’s growth and prosperity.

“In Emu-Obodeti, the project has impacted the life of 45 youths and women in fish marketing and production, oil processing and palm oil marketing,” Ashoro said.

In their remarks, the National Project Coordinator, Dr Abiodun Sanni, represented by Mr Matthew Erhima, Financial Coordinator, LIFE-ND, said the

projects were not just infrastructural developments, but investments in the well-being and progress of the communities.

According to him, the commissioning of the facilities marks the successful completion of key initiatives that will serve as a catalyst for sustainable development in the communities and beyond.

On her part, Mrs Stella Manure, representing the NDDC, pledged the commission’s commitment as an interventionist agency to deliver economic friendly infrastructure to the people of the region.

She said programme is designed to transform the communities through agriculture and by creating infrastructure, we are creating enabling environment for Agriculture to grow and empower the people.

Responding on behalf of the communities, the President General of Kokori, Chief Joseph Aghwute and the Chairman, Community Development Committee, Emu-Obodeti, Mr Smart Ozah, thanked the state government and the programme sponsors for the opportunity given their communities.

 (NAN)(www.nannews.ng).

IO/EBI

Edited by Benson Iziama

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