IMHA moves to revamp abandoned Songhai Farms in Imo

DDM NEWS

Worried by the dilapidated and abandoned condition of the once successful Imo State Songhai Farm which provided food security and employment to a large number of people, the Imo State House Of Assembly has directed the Ministry of Livestock to revamp the place, so as to bring it to its glory.

This was the outcome of the House Plenary activity on Wednesday 28/05/2025.

Moving the Motion, the Member Representing Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency in the Imo State House Of Assembly, Hon Dr Uzoma Francis Osuoha, gave insight to the present dilapidated and sorry condition of the Imo State Songhai Farm located in Nekede, Owerri-west LGA, which he said once provided succour to Imo citizens as it was into livestock, fishery, animal husbandry and large scale farming and sold food stuffs at reduced prices, as well as provided employment to large number of Imo citizens.

Hon Osuoha further explained that the Imo State Songhai Farm was established in 2004 with the sum of N400 million when naira had more value.

Unfortunately, it has now become a shadow of itself, as erosion has taken over almost half of its landmass.

Individuals, especially natives, have also encroached into the farmland, parceletting portions of it and selling, while some of the equipment have been vandalized, including buildings.

Nevertheless, the Ohaji/Egbema lawmaker revealed that the Executive Secretary/CEO of National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Prince Paul Ikonne, had in 2022 disclosed that the abandoned Imo State Songhai Farm received Federal approval for rehabilitation in partnership with the Imo State Government.

Therefore, beckoning on his Honourable Colleagues to lend their voices, Hon Dr Uzoma Francis Osuoha, who is also the House Committee Chairman on ISOPADEC, Oil And Gas, stated that if the Songhai Farm is rehabilitated and becomes effectively functional, it will be a source of succour, once again, to Imo people in this trying period.

Its sales would be at reduced prices, as well as providing job opportunities for thousands of people.

The Motion which was seconded by Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, who is the Chief Whip and Member Representing Oru-East State Constituency, was co-sponsored by the following lawmakers :

1. Hon Francis Uche Agabige.

2. Hon Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam.

3. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi.

4. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri.

5. Hon Chisom Ojukwu.

6. Hon Kelechi Onumajuru Offurum.

7. Hon Dominic Ugochukwu Ezerioha.

8. Hon Gilbert Chiedozie Nwosu.

The following lawmakers supported the Motion :

1. Hon Chigozie Nwaneri, Chief Whip (Oru-East).

2. Hon Dr Henry Agbasonu (Ezinihitte Mbaise).

3. Hon Engr Bernard Ndubuisi Ozoemelam (Ehime Mbano).

4. Hon Barrister Dominic Ugochukwu Ezerioha (Oru-West).

5. Hon Kanayo Onyemaechi, Majority Leader (Owerri-west).

6. Hon Barrister Chisom Ojukwu (Nkwerre).

7. Hon Kelechi Onumajuru Offurum, Deputy Chief Whip (Owerri-North).

8. Hon Engr Innocent Ikechukwu Ikpamezie (Mbaitoli).

9. Hon Chief Johnleoba Iheoha (Ikeduru).

10. Hon Clinton Amadi, Deputy Minority Leader (Owerri Municipal).

11. Hon Nze Ikenna Martins Ihezuo (Orlu).

In their respective submissions, they bemoaned the sorry state of the once vibrant and bubbling Imo State Songhai Farm, disclosing that part of the encroached land has been used to build fuel stations.

And its staff quarters rented out to individuals, with proceeds not paid into the State Government account.

They therefore urged that the Commissioner in-charge of the Ministry of Livestock, together with its Permanent Secretary be invited to explain why the Songhai Farm became moribund and the place vandalized under their watch.

They also called for investigation and prosecution of those involved in encroaching and grabbing part of the Songhai Farmland.

Supporting the rehabilitation of the Songhai Farm, the Honourable Members maintained that private investors should be encouraged to handle the farm ones rehabilitated, under Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement, as Civil Servants do not have the capacity to handle business enterprises.

Impressed with the quality of contributions from his Honourable Colleagues, the Speaker, Rt Honourable Chike Olemgbe, who presided, put it to vote and it was unanimously adopted. Thereafter, he Ruled as follows :

Be It Be Resolved By This Honourable House To Direct The Ministry Of Livestock To Collaborate With The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) To Ensure That The Imo State Songhai Farm Is Brought Back To Its Glory or Its Original Plan So That Imolites Can Smile Again.

The Clerk was directed to communicate the Resolution of the House to the appropriate quarters.

Citizen Ikenna Samuelson Iwuoha
28/05/2025

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