PMB DECLARED THAT HIS ADMINISTRATION WOULD CONSTRUCT ADDITIONAL 400 DAMS

resident Muhammadu Buhari on Monday declared that his
administration would construct additional 400 dams to boost
irrigation across the country before the expiration of his term
in 2019.
He also revealed that Nigeria’s population doubles itself
every 25 years, stressing that this was why the government
had decided to focus on revamping agriculture and solid
mineral sectors.
Buhari disclosed this to delegates from Africa and other
continents at the 32nd Annual Meeting of the Food Crisis
Prevention Network which was held in Abuja.
The President said the government had started implementing
measures to expand the production of grains and other
agricultural produce in Nigeria, adding that the country would
start experiencing three harvesting seasons when more dams
become operational in the next two years.
Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Agriculture
and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, said, “We can no
longer rely on rainfall, we have to create more dams, water
reservoirs and insist on harvesting food at least three times
in a year.
“I am happy to tell you that that programme is being
designed and in the next two and half years we shall add to
the existing 200 dams at least another 400 dams across the
country to encourage irrigation on a large scale.”
On Nigeria’s increasing population, he said the number of
citizens across the country might hit 500 million by 2050 and
that there was the need to plan how to feed the nation when
its population gets to that level.
Buhari said, “We are not unmindful of our huge population
here, hence the need to urgently ensure that the agricultural
sector is revitalised as soon as possible. Our population here
doubles every 25 years. Estimates are that by 2050 Nigeria
will be in the region of 450 to 500 million persons, making us
the third most populated country on planet earth coming
after China and India.
“The question, therefore is, how do you feed 500 million
people with hoes and cutlasses as their tools for agricultural
development? However, we are proud to say that we are
currently achieving a lot. This year, the harvest of grains in
Nigeria has been absolutely exceptional as other African
countries have been coming here in search of grains.”
The President noted that the poor handling of agriculture by
government had contributed to the depletion of the country’s
foreign reserves, as Nigeria spends $22bn annually on food
imports.
“Our failure to restore agriculture in the face of crisis in the
North-East has increased the percentage of food imports and
caused a severe reduction in our foreign reserves. Africa is
said to spend $35bn annually on importing food. Of that
amount Nigeria accounts for $22bn and there is no need for
this, because presently Africa has no excuse of not being
able to feed itself,” he added.
This, he said, had warranted a renewed focus by the present
government to revamp agriculture and solid minerals
development, to revive the economy and make it an export-
driven one capable of sustaining prosperity for the masses.
Buhari added that it was high time African countries stopped
the importation of harmful foods from other continents as
most of these items were toxic and cause health challenges
based on findings by an agency in Nigeria.
He said, “Our National Agency for Food Drug Administration
and Control have had reason to analyse certain products not
originating in West Africa but imported into West Africa and
then into Nigeria to be of extremely harmful effect in the diet
of our people. Too many of our people are dying of new
diseases as a result of this.
“We are therefore making an appeal to all of us in the sub
region to do what we can to make sure that nothing harmful
comes in through our borders.”
The President also urged African countries to change the
method of cattle breeding on the continent, as he stated that
there was need to stop the roaming of cattle in order to
forest all conflicts between herdsmen and farmers.
herdsmen are not suppose to breed their cattle in peoples farm provissions should be made for cattle breeders