– A former militant leader in Bayelsa state has invested in rice production
– He said his interest in rice farming is to create employment and reduce violent crimes
– He said the farm in February 2017 and is expected to grow in 2018
A former militant leader from Bayelsa state, Paul Eris Tanko, known along the creek as Commander Ogunboss, has established a rice farm at Peremabiri community in Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.
His intention as he revealed to journalists is to create employment and reduce violent crimes along the waterways of Bayelsa state.
Ogunboss told journalists at the weekend during a tour of his farm that the initiative was also to boost commercial rice production and create jobs for the youths.
Former militant commander invests in rice farming in Bayelsa state
He said the farm began on February 6, 2017 in a 51.5-hectare swampy forest which had been cleared.
He hoped that the farm, known as Tanko Farms, would increase by 200 hectares in 2018.
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The former militant said that the farm had received 300 bags of paddies from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.
According to him, the farm has acquired a rice milling machine which is serving rice farmers in the area.
Rowland Kiente, a rice farmer in Peremabiri, told journalists during the tour that the milling machines ensured production of stone-free rice.
Alagoa Morris of the Environmental Rights Action, David West of the Civil Liberties Organisation and Eberesikimo Gbassa, a rights activist, who also toured the farm, hailed the initiative.
They hoped that it would go a long way to boost food production and stimulate economic activities.
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They called on the state government to support farmers and construct a road from Yenagoa to Peremabiri to encourage Tanko Farms.
Peremabiri community is in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa state. It is located along the River Nun in the Bomo clan of Southern Ijaw.
The community is accessible through water transportation from Yenagoa.
It hosts the abandoned Irrigated Rice Farm Project established by the then Niger Delta Development Board.
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