By Kingsley Ezekwelu
Gov Willie Obiano this afternoon visited Delfarm Songhai farms, Igbariam, to assess the extent of damage done by fire incident on the farm, he said that state government is to launch an investigation into the immediate and remote causes of the fire incident that gutted over 30 hectares of sorghum farm at Igbariam.
Aside destroyed, it was also observed during the visit that other sections of the farms where other crops were planted including banana, maize and vegetables, were completely razed down.
The Governor, after being conducted round the farm, bemoaned the huge losses but said the investigation will be fully conducted so as to forestall future occurrence.
Sympathizing with the investor over the loss, Gov Obiano said the State government will do its best to assist him restart again.
He reminded the citizens of the state that bush burning was against the state environmental laws, warning that the relevant agencies have been tipped to arrest and duly prosecute anyone caught flouting the law.
The Managing Director of the farm, Mr Pius Ekwunugo while describing the incident as unfortunate, regretted that they have suffered such fate twice in two years despite every effort they have put in to ensure cordial relationship with the host community.
Noting that the fire this time decimated the farm, Mr Ekwunugo appealed to Government to come to their aid and put a stop to the ugly incident as according to him, such does not encourage investments in any community.
Delfarm Songhai Farms, one of the first Agricultural firms that answered the present administration’s call to invest in the State agricultural sector, had through the leadership of Gov Obiano, last year brokered a partnership to supply 10,000 metric tons of sorghum to Intafact Breweries for brewing beer.
