ARMTI spends N10m on rural development

THE Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Ilorin, has expended N10 million on eight rural communities in Kwara state on its rural empowerment scheme christened, Value Alive Development Initiative (VALDI).

The Acting Director of the ARMTI, Anthony Njoku said at Apa-Ola in Ifelodun Local Government Area (LGA) of Kwara, that the money was distributed by a commercial bank to the villagers, forming contributory groups under a revolving loan arrangement.

Already, the institute, having identified the needs of members of each of the communities has concluded arrangements to distribute fabricated tools, and machines to them towards boosting their vocational endeavours.

The people of Apa-Ola in particular are noted for the production of Shea butter, the product Njoku said could be produced in large quantity, repackaged and exported to neighbouring West-African states, towards a boost in the GDP of Nigeria.

He described the rural management aspect of the mandate of ARMTI as “essential” noting that the institution would expand the scope of its operations when adequate fund has been released for the purpose.

The ARMTI boss, who facilitated a town hall meeting between representatives of the community and an officer of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) said only constant supply of electricity could guarantee effective usage of the proposed equipment to be distributed to the rural dwellers.

According to him, “electricity supply is very essential to our developmental plans under VADI, especially, cassava processing plant that ARMTI wants to establish.

This will be beneficial to all the adjoining communities as well. “This is our job and our aim is to sensitize the rural dwellers to the gold they never consider as money spinning in their environment.

We had empowered them in the areas of their strength and we hope to spread the opportunities to all the hamlets and villages in the state.”

The highlight of the meeting was the ability of the ARMTI management to negotiate a downward review of the tariffs paid to the IBEDC on energy consumption from N11.5 per unit to N4.

According to Njoku, “we need to make our presence felt within this community. Of what importance is it to us if only ARMTI receives constant power supply to the exclusion of other communities? This is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).”

Responding on behalf of the community, Baale of Oke-Ola, AbdulRaheem Zubir thanked the management of the institute for “your proactive responses to all our needs in this community.

We promise in return continued harmonious relationship with you.” The consumer, Service Supervisor of IBEDC Ganmo Service Unit, Ilorin, Badmus Ismael promised better services to the people just as he canvassed more regular meetings with the members of the community.