Abia State House of Assembly has as a matter of economic importance urged Abia State Government to resuscitate the moribund Abia Palm Nigeria Limited for the benefit of Abians.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa who stated this during plenary on Thursday, following a motion sponsored by member representing Ukwa East State Constituency, Hon. Lewis Obianyi emphasized on the importance of the Agricultural company to Abia State in terms of job creation and economic development.
He, therefore, enjoined the House Committee on Agriculture to carry out thorough oversight on the motion and invite management of Ministry of Agriculture and other relevant Agencies for interaction in order to give the motion adequate legislative backing.
Earlier in his presentation at the floor of the Assembly, the Chief sponsor of the motion, Hon. Obianyi, had decried the poor state of Abia Palm Nigeria Limited, since its establishment in the old Imo State government under the leadership of Late Dr. Sam Mba as the governor.
The Ukwa East State Constituency lawmaker, in his presentation highlighted that Ada Palm as it was originally called, had over 2,800 employees then, and lamented that negligence of successive governments since the organization was inherited by Abia State after its creation in 1991 led to the moribund condition of the Agricultural company.
The former Executive Chairman of Ukwa East Local Government Council, further harped on the economic relevance of the Abia Palm Company, noting that if the present administration of Governor Alex Otti would strive to resuscitate the place, that it would attract foreign investors in the State, boost the State Internally Generated Revenues, IGR, and most importantly create reasonable jobs to the teeming Abia youths and Nigeria at large.
Lending their voices to the Motion, the Deputy Speaker and member representing Umuahia East State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Austin Okezie, Hon. Boniface Ishienyi, Ikwano State Constituency, Hon. Umeh Matthias, Umunneochi, Hon. Dennis Rowland Chinwendu, Isiala Ngwa South, and Hon.Anthony Chinasa, Umuahia Central, all supported the motion noting its sufficient economic benefits to the State and Nigeria at large, particularly in job creation adding that it will project the State and the Country to the world as one of the exporting Palm oil countries.
Shortly after plenary, Hon. Obianyi while Fielding questions from newsmen on what prompted the motion he presented, the Ukwa East-born legislator, disclosed that Agriculture has been the mainstay and Abia Palm Company was established to promote Agricultural business in the country.
While answering questions on his legislative duties as a representative, he noted with pleasure that he has started empowering his constituents with skills acquisition programmes in any area of their interest adding that over 20 persons for a start have already commenced learning and would soon graduate.
Hon. Obianyi disclosed that he has many programmes for his constituents noting that he is poised to deliver quality democracy dividends to the people of Ukwa East.
