TUC Bayelsa Advises Members to embrace Farming, Concludes Annual lecture.

Agriculture has been described as a veritable alternative for public servants in the Bayelsa State to have financial independence to tackle the current economic situation in the country.

They made this known at the Trade Union Congress (TUC) annual lecture for workers in the state, with a theme: “Agriculture as an Alternative Source of Income for Public Servants,” held at the Association of Senior Civil Servants’ Secretariat, Bayelsa Palm Road, Yenagoa, the state capital

Delivering a lecture, the guest speaker, Dr Zigha Ayibakuro, represented by the Executive Secretary State Primary Health Board, Dr. Appah Williams, highlighted that public servants are legally permitted to engage in agriculture, stating that agriculture remains the only alternative to sustain anyone in the present harsh economy of the nation.

He noted that any farmer that has not made any gain is still not yet ready, stressing that  sometimes the losses are as a result of natural disasters particularly those who are into fishery .

He maintained that at times when the natural disasters occur, farmers most times end up losing crops thereby hindering them from investing in their farms.

Dr. Williams urged civil servants to go into production farming by rearing livestock such as pig whose commercial value has continued to increase, saying that agricultural theft should not stop anyone from venturing into farming business.

Chairman of Trade Union Congress, Dr. Laye Julius in an address, remarked that when he assumed office that he took the decision of the annual lecture to project the image of TUC in the state, pointing out that the association has over the years made the program more formidable for members.

He explained that the topic of this year’s lecture became imperative considering the demands of the times, maintaining that the theme is very apt as it will enable participants to improve their streams of revenue through engagement in agriculture as an alternative means of livelihood for public servants in the state.

The TUC boss hinted that TUC house which is under construction has received the attention of governor Douye Diri, noting that the one storey building is 95% completed with fencing and the landscaping of the environment already approved by the state government.

Dr. Laye opined that workers in the health sector and members of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP and hazard/call duty allowance of all medical and health workers has been approved by the state government.

In separate interviews, comrades Oyinemi Ebredeni and Biriyai Ofiafate, commended the TUC for the initiative, noting that civil servants’ active participation in agriculture would not only conserve household resources but also ensure a steady food supply, reduce dependency on external food sources, and provide raw materials for industrial use.

Present at the lecture include the Auditor-General of Bayelsa State, Comrade Tare Dounana; the State NLC Chairman, Comrade Barnabas Simon; TUC State Secretary and Chairman of the Planning Committee, Comrade Engr. Bright Amatoru; and the Committee Secretary, Dr. Ebi Sikpi amongst others dignitaries.