‘No Plans To Shut Rivers Songhai Farm’

Cassava produce being transported to the market in Nasarawa State

Authorities at the
Songhai Rivers Initiative (SRI) also known as the Rivers Songhai Farms in Bunu-Tai in  Tai Local Government Area of the state, say there are no plans to close down the farm.
This clarification was made by the communications officer of the farm, Mr. Gabriel Epelle during a telephone interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, recently.
According to him, the clarification became necessary following the rumours making the rounds that the SRI has been penciled for a close down.
“SRI was still in operation in contrast to the opposing view of detractors in town”, he said.
The communications officer accused some fifth columnists of fuelling the unfounded rumours even as he called on members of the public to disregard the rumour.
He said the outfit had been playing a crucial role in the area of job creation and empowerment and wondered how the state could afford to close down the farms.
According to him, the former Executive Director of the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) Mr. Noble Pepple, even advocated for the commercialization of the farms.
He said closing the outfit would mean rendering those already benefiting, jobless and would pose untold economic consequences in the society.
While acknowledging that the organization has challenges just like any other human endeavour, he assured that the present government was committed to sustaining the