The Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Local Government Service Commission, Hajia Saarat Adebayo was in a parley with all the LG DPMs and HODs Agriculture in the sixteen LGA in Kwara.
At the meeting, the Executive Chairman of the Commission, Hajia Sarat appreciated the staffers of the local government areas for honouring her call. She reiterated the commitment of the Kwara State Governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed administration to diversify the economy and prioritize food production.
She charged the LG DPMs and HODs to roll up their sleeves and be ready to add values to the system. She affirmed that this period is challenging and everybody must put hand on desk to be a value added. She urged each HOD Agriculture from all the LG Areas to be up and doing to make a difference.
In her remark, she charged them to start farming with at least ten hectares of land from all the councils and start with crops peculiar to their various LGA. They should at least start small and grow bigger.
In their responses, the DPMs and the HODs appreciated the Chairman, Hajia Sarat Adebayo for conveying the historical meeting, as this marked the first time the commission shows readiness to take the bull by the horn in solving the problems of the councils.
They acknowledged the meeting as a wake up call. “We see this as a wake up call to our duties and we shall leave no stone on turned to ensure that your call is actualized.”
They however noted the various factors militating against the LG councils and in particular the Department of Agriculture.
Part of the identified factors which have rendered the LG Department of Agriculture to a mere unit are: lack of capital base; no sustainable Labour; no provision of fertilizers; unavailability of tractors and farm tools at the LG; Farmers and Cattle rearer crisis reduction in LG revenue generation.
They unanimously applauded Hajia Sarat, the Chairman LG Service Commission for her good spirit and pure intention to reform the commission.
In their recommendation, the DPMs and the HODs suggested that the area of forestry, vegetables, LG Land Development Scheme, should be considered to improve the agriculture and the income of the LG and even the State. They advised the government to look towards commercial farming; plantation of moringal, cashew production, etc.
Chief Adeyemi Aremu, the HOD Baruten LG, Aliu kahdijat, the HOD Ilorin East LG, Bello Abdulwahab, the DPM Irepodun LG, Abdulrasheed the HOD Moro LG and other speakers applauded Hajia Sarat, the Chairman LG Service Commission reiterated the need to prioritize Agriculture in the LG, also called for the cooperation of the council Chairmen to actualize the set goals.
In her responses to their various contribution, Hajia Sarat talked about provision of Abundant Food Security;
Law of Comparative Advantages, and urged the Civil Servants to be more committed to service.
Hajia Sarat concluded that in her own capacity would meet the concern authorities on some of the challenges raised and urged the DPMs and HODs on consumable products to reduce hunger in the land. She noted that it’s not business as usual, and all the HODs should be on top of their jobs as there is no money to throw around.
Hajia Sarat noted that the political will starts with the career officials. She said, “We are in for value for money, as an integral part of the government, we must be creative and definitely there shall be light at the end of the tunnel.”
One of the Permanent Member of the Commission, talked about job and employment creation through Agriculture aside the food production.
The Permanent Secretary in his own message also applauded the Chairman as a woman of innovation with a lot of seal, he urged the HODs and other members of the LG to turn a new leave to bring an end to laxity in our councils.
The Chairman, Association of LG DPMs and HODs in Kwara State, Alhaji Shero the DPM Ilorin West, while giving a closing remarks, appreciated the strides of Hajia Sarat Adebayo and pledged on behalf of his colleagues that they shall ensure delivery of productive services at the council levels. He ended his remarks with a special prayers for the Executive Chairman and other members present.