FG To Spend N2.2B On Rural Water

DR. AKINWUNMI ADESHINA, THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

ABUJA, February 02, (THEWILL) - The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adeshina, Thursday said the federal government was committed to the rural transformation of the country hence it has proposed a budget of N2.2 billion for the provision of water and rural development.

Akinwunmi who announced this at the 2012 budget defence of the ministry before the House of Representatives committee on agriculture and rural development said getting rural development was a sure way of transforming the Agricultural sector.

“It is only when you we get rural development right, that we get Agriculture right, our aim is to revitalize our rural development.’’

He said transforming rural areas would create job opportunities for the Nigerian Youths.
Adeshina said based on this, N2.2 billion had been set aside for the purpose of portable water and rural infrastructure.

“I want to assure the Committee that we have taken the job of rural development very critically. They can’t be rural development without Agricultural development,’’ he stressed.

He said the ministry planned to get youths involved in Agriculture through programmes that would cut across the 36 States in the country. “50 youths would be sent to Kenya to do rice production.’’
The minister was however silent on the overall budget of the Ministry and was asked by the committee to go back and present a more comprehensive break down.

Earlier, Hon. Christopher Isu, (PDP, Ebonyi) Chairman of the Committee on rural development said the purpose of the budget defence was to foster mutual and harmonious relationship that would promote national planning.

“National budgeting should be seen as a veritable tool to national transformation if well planned and implemented,’’ he stated.