Group To Enugu Govt: Incorporate Women, Disabled, Youths Into Palm Oil Production

Posted by Ignatius Okpara Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Friday, May 21st, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Solidaridad West Africa, (SWA), an international organization committed in the promotion of the Agricultural sector in Nigeria, has urged the Enugu state government to make a deliberate policy for social inclusion of Women, youths people with Disabilities (PWDs) and migrants in the ownership of palm tree farm lands in various communities of the state.

Recall that the organization had recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) to improve agricultural productivity and ensure Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in agriculture and divestment of the economy from dependency on crude oil.

The organization stated this yesterday during an Advocacy meeting for inter- Ministerial intervention to promote Women, PWDs, and youths inclusion in the oil palm business in Enugu state, organized by its implementing partners which are also Civil Society groups operating in the state.

Our Correspondent reports that the implementing partners includes, Women Information Network (Winet), Perfect Finish Amazing Vessels Foundation, Development Education Advocacy Resources For Africa (Dear Africa) and Rural Engagement Development Foundation (Red Foundation).

According to the group, social exclusion of women, PWDs, youths and migrants in the ownership of the palm oil dealings is counter- productive, and could aggravate poverty in the land, adding that such categories of people should be made key Stakeholders in the business .

Addressing the meeting which was graced by government officials from the state Ministries of Transport, Gender Affairs, Chieftaincy Matters, Environment, Human Capital Development and Poverty Reduction, one of the Solidaridad Implementing partners, Anulika Akaoseh, of (Dear Africa) noted that social exclusion in the palm oil produce business has done more harm than good to several Communities in Igbo land, Including Enugu state.

She noted that apart from making such categories of individuals feel dejected in their own father’s land, it increases level of poverty, calling on the state government to as a matter of urgency endeavor to change such unpopular narrative.

Akaoseh, who is the programme officer of her organization, stated that if women, youths and PWDs are allowed to own and fully participate in the oil palm business, it would go a long way in enhancing production as well as eradicate poverty in Communities.

Some of the government officials who spoke at the forum, had identified existing cultural/ traditional practices as some of the barriers and factors militating against inclusion of the said categories of persons in the palm oil produce system in most Communities in Igbo land, including a Enugu State.

They however advised the Solidaridad team to endeavor to engage the Chieftaincy Affairs Ministry on the issue with a view to linking them with the State Traditional Rulers Council, since the Monarchs are the custodians of the people’s culture in the land.

The government officials completely shared in the sentiments of Solidaridad on the issue, but maintained that the matter be directed to the appropriate quarters which is the Traditional rulers domain.

African Examiner reports that the National Initiative for Climate- Smart oil palm Small holders (NISCOPS), project is been implemented by Solidaridad in Akwa- Ibom, Cross River, Enugu, and Kogi states of Nigeria.