...bridge spending gap and insulate sector from disruptions



By Ikhili  Ebalu,  Benin City


Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, the frontline aspirant of the All Progressives Congress in Edo state, has implored the Edo state government to insulate the agriculture of the sector of the state from the coronavirus-induced disruptions by patronizing local farmers to bridge the gap in public spending and prevent food wastage, especially at the time frenzied purchases could cause price hike and scarcity of basic produces.


He said this at a press briefing in Benin City today. According to Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu, agriculture being one of the mainstays of the state’s economy and a large employer of labor, should be protected from the lull that is predicted to follow low trade and activities in the state owing to the announced restrictions by the government and the necessary instruction for residents to remain indoors except in the case of emergencies.


By patronizing the local farmers and creating special conditions to insulate the sector from disruptions to the economy, the government will be achieving multiple economic goals including the prevention of food wastage, ensuring a continuous flow of supply of farm produce to prevent scarcity and price hike, protect jobs in the sector and provide the farmers with additional income that will, in turn, circulate around the economy and prevent a complete breakdown, Pastor Ize Iyamu argued.


He said: “To bridge the gap in local spending as predicted by economists, our local farmers should be patronized to help them with additional income, reduce the wastage of farm produce, insulate the sector from the disruption of the virus, prevent job losses and improve on the agricultural value chain of the state.”


Pastor Ize Iyamu’s stance is backed by several economic data and the actions of other governments providing special intervention for crucial sectors of the economy in light of the adverse effects of the coronavirus on all facets of life, particularly trade.


Furthermore, Pastor Iyamu charged the state government to immediately set up food banks in strategic points across the state, especially in areas where low-income earners are domiciled, to avail them with food and other basic survival items.


“We appeal to the government of Edo state to immediately begin the process of setting up a food bank to attend to the needy during these difficult times to cushion the effect that the restrictions, especially in trade, is expected to have on them.”


“With this step, we believe that a breakdown of law and order and possible violence in a scuffle for limited resources – especially food – in the face of mass hunger will be averted,” he said.


On his own part, Pastor Osagie Ize Iyamu announced that his organization has produced more sanitizers and informational materials on the coronavirus disease for expanded distribution across the state, with special focus on essential workers who will remain in the line of duty and could serve as inadvertent vectors of the viral disease without adequate care and safety precautions.


In a similar vein, his wife, Prof. Idia Ize Iyamu, will also be donating food and other relief items to the disabled and other vulnerable residents of the state predicted to be the worst hit to ease the pressure and prevent starvation.


Conclusively, Pastor Ize Iyamu called on residents of the state to support the government in its containment efforts and adhere to safety guidelines recommended by the Nigeria Center for Disease Control and other health agencies. He also called for a display of magnanimity to neighbors.


“My fellow Edos, as we pray for God’s mercy upon our state and country, and patiently await the recovery of those infected, let us be magnanimous enough to share what we have with those who have nothing during this period of compulsory lockdown,” he said