The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Engr Ikechukwu Emetu has said that the moribund farm estates and settlements in the state will be revamped and put into good use as agriculture has the potential of turning around “our ailing economy if taken serious”
This is even as he decried the attitude of some investors who are not keeping faith with terms of agreement as contained in the memorandum of understanding entered into by not paying their remittance to Government over the years.
Engr. Emetu who stated this during an interactive meeting with investors, Traditional Rulers and Critical stakeholders on Agriculture held at Government House, Umuahia further lamented that some of these investors have neglected their social responsibilities to their donor communities and other incentives as contained in the Mou.
The Deputy Governor said the interactive session was to take a hard look at the encumbrances and challenges with a view to charting a forward going roadmap knowing the role Agriculture play in the economic development which is pivotal in the present administration’s agenda.
He lauded the foresight of the late Premier of Eastern Region, Dr Michael Okpara in siting various agricultural estates like cocoa, oil palm, cashew and rubber among others in the state.
In his remarks, the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze said in view of the numerous values to be tapped from agriculture, Government is poised to change the ugly narratives of neglect in the sector as it will no longer be business as usual and thanked everyone that made representation at the meeting.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Sir Okey Ihedioha disclosed that the Ministry have been acting as mediators between host communities and their various investors with a view to finding lasting solutions to issues bordering them and called for a working template for stakeholders to be alive to their responsibilities.
Presentations were received from the investors handling Agricultural Estates business across the State including the Ohambele Oil Palm estate, Ulonna North Farm Settlement, Abia Cocoa estate, Agbozu Uzuakoli, Ozu Item Palm estate, Abia Rubber estate in Amaeke and Ndi oji Abam, Ukwa Nkporo Oil Palm estate, Cashew Estate, Mbala Isuochi, Erea Oil Palm, Okon Aku in Ohafia LGA and other settlements.
