Abia State Government has warned that it will not be rosy again for Cocoa smugglers as anyone caught in the act will face the full weight of the Law.
Speaking during a meeting with Cocoa Monitoring team tagged “Cocoa Transformation Committee”, held at the Government House, Umuahia, the State Deputy Governor, Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu, frowned that a whole lot of anomalies have been happening in that agricultural subsector before the coming of the present administration and also warned that the vehicle used for the illegal business will confiscated.
He maintained that the Governor Alex Otti’s administration is a intentional regime, as assured the stakeholders in the subsector and cocoa farmers that there will not be any form of exploitation from the cocoa farms, as the state maintains transparency and conducive business environment in all its dealing.
Emetu, who is also the Chairman of the State Cocoa Council announced the recovery of Agbaozu Cocoa Estate in Uzuakoli, Bende L.G.A, and the resolve of the government to build and put in place the necessary facilities and infrastructure including cocoa nursery seedlings for effective farming and massive cocoa production.
Emetu who digged deep into the benefits of cocoa farming, as a cash crop and export commodity, said that generally agriculture remains the best for a progressive society.
Citing Netherlands, a country that is doing great with Cocoa farming and other agricultural practices, Emetu maintained that Nigerians should think towards agriculture, which the Abia State Government remains happy to invest in
Some of the stakeholders who spoke including, the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria, Abia State Chapter Chairman, Mr. John Kalu, Mazi Johnson Uche, Cocoa Association of Nigeria Chairman among others, praised the government’s effort towards agriculture and food production in the state and its positive steps towards making Abia rank among the best Cocoa producing states.
They appreciated the government’s effort also towards reducing the activities of cocoa smugglers to the barest minimum in the state.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the State Cocoa Monitoring team, Mrs Sarah Uzochukwu gave a run down of the team, signifying a positive move towards massive cocoa production and kicking out smugglers in the subsector.
