Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Nigeria’s new minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, has applauded the immediate past administration of former president Goodluck Jonathan for its achievements in agriculture.
Ogbeh was however quick to decry the state of corruption in the agriculture sector under the past administration.
Speaking to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state, as President Muhammadu Buhari officially launched the N40 billion Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) and the commencement of the dry season farming organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for rice farmers across the country, Ogbeh corruption was still rampant, Vanguard reports.
Ogbeh, commended his predecessor, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, the president of the African Development Bank, for the innovations introduced into the nation’s agricultural system.
He however, said despite his (Adesina) good works, corruption still found its way into the agriculture sector under him.
Ogbeh said: “People supplied sharp sands as fertilizer while fake seeds were sold to farmers. There were companies with no traceable addresses that many struggling farmers lost their monies as a result.
“No room for quacks anymore. Under this administration, that will never happen again. Security agencies will now be used to check fraudsters. We will no longer allow the elite play prank on our farmers.”
The ministry of Agriculture is placed under the care of Audu Ogbeh from Benue state. The former PDP national chairman has the responsibility of raising another means of revenue generation.
Ogbeh was a former Minister of Communication, and later Minister of Steel Development under Shehu Shagari administration was overthrown in the coup that brought Buhari to power in 1983.
The Ministry of Agriculture is a sector that is essential to Buhari’s administration aim to ensure food sufficiency, create jobs and empower youth through agriculture.
Ogbeh is seen as one with experience in agriculture, as he has been a farmer since his retirement. He is the current chairman and managing director of Efugo Farm Markudi.
Ogbeh was however quick to decry the state of corruption in the agriculture sector under the past administration.
Speaking to newsmen in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state, as President Muhammadu Buhari officially launched the N40 billion Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) and the commencement of the dry season farming organised by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for rice farmers across the country, Ogbeh corruption was still rampant, Vanguard reports.
Ogbeh, commended his predecessor, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, the president of the African Development Bank, for the innovations introduced into the nation’s agricultural system.
He however, said despite his (Adesina) good works, corruption still found its way into the agriculture sector under him.
Ogbeh said: “People supplied sharp sands as fertilizer while fake seeds were sold to farmers. There were companies with no traceable addresses that many struggling farmers lost their monies as a result.
“No room for quacks anymore. Under this administration, that will never happen again. Security agencies will now be used to check fraudsters. We will no longer allow the elite play prank on our farmers.”
The ministry of Agriculture is placed under the care of Audu Ogbeh from Benue state. The former PDP national chairman has the responsibility of raising another means of revenue generation.
Ogbeh was a former Minister of Communication, and later Minister of Steel Development under Shehu Shagari administration was overthrown in the coup that brought Buhari to power in 1983.
The Ministry of Agriculture is a sector that is essential to Buhari’s administration aim to ensure food sufficiency, create jobs and empower youth through agriculture.
Ogbeh is seen as one with experience in agriculture, as he has been a farmer since his retirement. He is the current chairman and managing director of Efugo Farm Markudi.
