Mr Llewellyn Msoo, the Deputy Governorship candidate of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in Benue, says he will generate enough foreign exchange for the state by boosting export of raw farm produce.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Makurdi, Msoo who is running mate to Mr Jim Okewu, said he would achieve that by spearheading the conversion of the existing airport in the state to a cargo airport.
He said the state had so much raw food crops that were needed in other countries but were at the moment being wasted owing to poor post-harvest and storage facilities.
He said that as an agrarian economy, the state needed a cargo airport that would convey its raw products faster and in their natural state to other countries of the world.
He regretted that yams, that should get to their foreign destinations fresh and in good condition, always got spoilt before arrival.
He said if elected, the ADP led administration, with Okewu as governor, would give priority attention to agriculture, claiming that the ” only mineral deposits the state has is its arable lands”.
According to him, if agriculture is well developed in the state, it will create jobs for the youths and generate wealth for the people.
The candidate regretted the post harvest losses often incurred by farmers across the state and assured that he would ensure the provision of ” easy and affordable” processing machines to farmers”.
” The only mineral deposit we have in this state is our rich arable lands; we will protect and engage in agricultural practices that will guarantee high yield to our people and the state.”
He lamented the attack on farms in the state by bandits and assured of protection lives and property.
Moo also regretted that the incessant attacks on farmers and farming activities by bandits, was slowing down farming activities which led to the low agricultural yield between 2017 and 2018.
He also advocated for power shift to the Benue South Senatorial District to allow other non Tiv tribes in the state to win the governorship slot in the state.
Msoo, a Tiv from Benue North-East Senatorial District, said for politics of inclusiveness to thrive, the Tiv’s had to support a non Tiv person to win the governorship slot in the state.
” Politics is evolving; I want power shifted to shift to the Idoma speaking tribe of the state, we are all one and share the same vision, ” he said. (NAN)
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