The Wife of the Bayelsa State Governor,Dr.Gloria Diri says it is a New dawn for Women as the initiative to Empower Bayelsa Women and Girls,in Food Processing Skills aimed at improving their livelihoods and Economic stability heralds the establishment of the Bayelsa Food Hub by the United Nations (UN) Women.
The State of the Art Facility, situated opposite the Kpansia market in Yenagoa,comprises of modern Foods Processing and Storage equipment.
Speaking at the launch of the facility and the distribution of Cassava Stems and fifty kilogram bags of Fertilizer to three hundred Women in the State on Tuesday,Dr Diri stated that the twin events are landmark steps taken to alleviate poverty,improve and elevate Women’s business acumen using technology.
According to her,the Business and and Entrepreneurship Training and practical Sessions in Food Processing, Exportation,and packaging for one hundred held in November last year,is the first of its kind in the State.
She emphasized the need for the one hundred beneficiaries of the Program to put knowledge gained to adequate use for their economic upliftment and add value to Society.
“Interestingly this time, the dynamics of Sole ownership has shifted to collective ownership hence the establishment of a Central Bayelsa Food Hub,where Women and Girls who have the knowledge can use the facility to boost Food Processing, Production and Storage for Local and International market consumption.
During and After the Twenty Twenty Two Floods which devastated our State, rendering many persons displaced and livelihoods lost,we sought help and Support from Public Spirited Individuals and Donor Agencies,what we got was more of Staple Food items.
Only the UN Women has come to our aid,with a Strategic Sustainable Development Relief and today,three hundred Women will receive Cassava Stems and Fertilizer.
I,on behalf of the Bayelsa State Women, appreciate the UN Women under the watch of Mrs.Beatrice Eyong ,UN Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS for this investment in the Bayelsa State.
The Distribution of Cassava Stems and Fertilizer though a pilot project in four Local Government Areas namely Kolokuma/ Opokuma,Ogbia Sagbama and Yenagoa will increase farm Produce at the end of the Farming season, believing that positive results will open more avenues for further interventions in the other Local Government Areas”She concluded.
UN Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS,Mrs Beatrice Eyong,stated that both interventions in Bayelsa State were borne out of the necessity to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, number 1,2,3,4 and 5.in line with the UN Women Objectives for the growth and well being of Women and Girls.
She explained that other key areas such as Gender inclusive Budgeting and Affirmative Procurement, Fifty Percent Women Representation in Leadership and Policy Formulation are potential elements of the UN Women mandate.
Mrs.Eyong,therefore advocated for the mainstreaming of the Systems and Processes of achieving these by the State Government to further strengthen the already existing collaboration.
In his remark,the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Professor Beke Sese,while applauding the UN Women for citing a legacy project in Bayelsa State,charged the beneficiaries to utilize the Hub, transfer knowledge gained to other Women and Girls for Continuity and Sustainability.
He noted that,one of the ASSURED AGENDA of the State Government is to ensure the availability of food,he therefore urged the Women Farmers to use the Cassava Stems and Fertilizer to boost Food production to achieve food sufficiency.
Presentation of Certificates to graduants and the distribution of Cassava Stems and Fertilizers to the Women were the Hallmark of the ceremony.
The Members Representing Sagbama Constituency two and Yenagoa Constituency one in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly,Hon.Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown and Hon.Ayinanegiyefa Egba,attended the event.
Others are,the Commissioners for Blue and Marine Economy and that of Trade and Investment, Dr.Faith Zibs,and Hon.Ebieri Jones.
The program was facilitated by Face Initiative and Skillporte Multi- ecosystem in Collaboration with the office of the Wife of the Governor,and Supported by the UN Women.