Bayelsa Farmers’ Bodies Resolve Differences

The lingering supremacy tussle between the Bayelsa State branch of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (ALFAN) and Bayelsa Farmers Association (BAFA) has been resolved.
A group of elders that goes by the name, Bayelsa Conciliators Forum (BCF), made the reconciliation of the two antagonistic bodies possible.
The two bodies had been at each other’s neck in the past four years over which faction should be in a better position to protect farmers’ interests in the state.
Officials of the state Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources capitalised on the crises to lock out the two unions from its activities.
Leading the pack of mediators, are Chief Thompson Okorotie, a former Political Adviser to Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, and the traditional ruler of Ovom, Chief Simeon Arab.
The Tide gathered that the fend and non-recognition of BAFA, which the state government favoured, by federal authority robbed farmers of the benefits of accessing federal government loans.
With the reconciliation process completed, both groups have come under the umbrella body of All Farmers Association of Nigeria and are now ready to benefit from the state’s agric scheme in 2010.
Presenting the reports of the settlement to the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Chief Diekwii Ikiogha in Yenagoa, Chief Okorotie noted that ALFAN was riddled with internal crises which have now become a thing of the past.
This has made accessing loans impossible, and pleaded with the state government to inaugurate the new harmonised body and involve them in its policies and programmes.
Receiving the reports, Chief Ikiogha said farmers in the state would have been better off but for their internal crises, and thanked the elders for intervening. He, however, stated that the report would be considered, after which government decision would be communicated to them.