‘Oyo can survive without federal allocation’

Forum 7 years ago

‘Oyo can survive without federal allocation’

The Oyo State Council of Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture said the state had the capacity to free itself from dependence on Federal Allocation if it explored the economic and employment opportunities within the state.

At its Annual General Meeting held in Ibadan, the council’s President, Olaitan Alabi, said if the state paid attention to agriculture, the Internally Generated Revenue from the sector would be more than what accrued to the state from the Federal Government.

He noted that agriculture had the capacity to solve the current financial difficulty and the inability to pay workers’ salaries, as well as provide employment.

He said, “Part of the functions of OYCCIMA is advocacy. From time to time, we talk to government and submit papers to it on how to improve on its financial status. It is one thing to give advice but it is another thing to heed it. If we have a situation where government cannot pay salaries because of the shortfall in Federal Allocation, it means that the state must be creative in its economic policy.

“It has to ensure an increase in its IGR and encourage agriculture as an alternative to its source of income. This is the best time to pay greater attention to agriculture. Workers will not be on strike if money is available in the state, but because we expect too much assistance from outside, that is why we are having so many problems.”

The OYCCIMA president said apart from commercial farming, it was the priority of government to ensure food sufficiency for the people.

He lamented the reliance of the South-West states on the North for food and other agricultural products.

“We don’t have to rely on the North for food. In Oyo State, the land is arable for all kinds of crop and big enough to practise commercial agriculture. What we are saying is that onion, yam, pepper and other crops should be planted here.

“Our major problem presently is the issue of herdsmen attack on farmlands and our farmers. It’s a national problem but we have made representation to Governor Abiola Ajimobi and he is meeting farmers and the herdsmen on the issue. Things cannot continue like this,” said Alabi.