Accra, Oct. 25, GNA – As part of Eni Ghana’s
initiatives to support the diversification of the local economy, it has
imported and distributed 12,750 poultry birds to indigenes within the Sanzule Community in the Western Region.
A statement signed by Ms Mary Bentuma Akotua,
Eni Ghana’s External Communications Officer in charge of the Sub-Sahara Africa
Region, and copied to the Ghana News Agency, on Thursday said: “This plan forms
part of the efforts of the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) joint venture – formed
by Eni Ghana, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation and Vitol – to support
diversification and growth of the economy in the Region”.
Funded with an investment of $3.9 million, the
programme includes activities in the areas of continuous cropping, livestock
husbandry, aquaculture and fishing, processors, and training.
It was jointly designed with the
beneficiaries.
The statement said the day old chicks were
distributed to the 25 households that chose poultry among the different options
provided by the Livelihood Restoration Plan being implemented by Eni.
The chicken, which are from a fertile breed:
are expected to start laying eggs in less than six months, and continue to do
so for about 18 months, providing households with a steady source of revenue.
“Besides a batch of layer chicken, every
household will also get chicken coops, supplies of breeders, feed and drugs,
veterinary services, and specific training, mentoring and coaching,” the
statement said.
Another 38 households chose a similar
programme focusing on piggery, while 39 chose sheep rearing.
Aquaculture was also chosen by 62 households
and they would benefit by the set-up and management of fish ponds to be
harvested and sold to generate revenue.
According to the statement, catfish had been
identified as the most appropriate choice for the ponds to start with because
such fishes were well adapted to the area, had higher survival rate than
tilapia, and enjoyed strong demand on local markets.
The members of households were allowed to
choose the options they wanted to develop.
The Joint Venture (JV) was providing capacity
building, direct investment and support for three years, to the benefit of 205
households who had been directly impacted by OCTP activities. A total of more than 1400 persons would
benefit.
Under the project, demonstration farms for
aquaculture and livestock keeping have been constructed and equipped with fish,
livestock and tools, and are hosting training activities.
Facilities for hair dressing, food, including
maize and cassava processing, and soap making have been built, whilst
structures for welding, bakery, cold storage, pig sties, advanced smokers,
carpentry and masonry were near completion, it said.
Additionally, it said, vocation and technical
training activities were underway in a local professional school in Sanzule.
“It has
been equipped for the purpose, and once all the trainings are completed, the
training equipment would be formally handed over to the School,” it said.
Eni said Local Rights Programme (LRP) was developed
in compliance with International Finance Corporation (IFC) standards, and that
the activities were constantly being monitored by the World Bank and IFC.
GNA