Over Five thousand Farmer have been earmarked to benefit from the sales of fertilizers at subsidized rates by the Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commisssion (HYPPADEC) in Kwara state.
Speaking at the Inauguration of the sales of fertilizers in Ilorin, the Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa, said the program aimed to support food production.
Represented by the Director of Community in the Commission, Dr. Mahmud Umar, the Managing Director said farmers would be given the fertilizers at the rate of ten thousand naira (#10,000) as against the current market price of twenty-seven thousand naira (#27,000).
Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa explained that the initiative would enable farmers have access to fertilizer at the right time.
The Managing Director also blamed the high fatality recorded in Monday’s boat mishap in Patigi, Kwara State on the failure of the victims to use life jackets.
He called on the relevant authorities to legislate a law that would make it mandatory for boat passengers across the country to always wear life jackets.
Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa equally called for a law to restrain boat operators from operating at night.
In an address, Kwara State Governor Alhaji AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi commended the Commission for its efforts aimed at removing the people from poverty.
He said his administration would redouble efforts at ensuring the dreging of River Niger to put a lasting solution to flooding in the riverine areas of the state.
AbdulRazq said the administration would continue to support the Commission in the discharge of its laudable projects to enable it to succeed.
In a remark, the Etsu Patigi Alhaji Aliyu Kpotwo Abdullahi also said the initiative would improve the socio-economic well-being of the people.
COV/ALI MUHAMMAD RABIU
