Abia State Government has expressed it’s willingness to enter into productive partnership with development partners, especially in the area of Agriculture.
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu stated this while receiving a delegation of the World Bank Funded Agro Processing Productivity Enhancement & Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project led by the National Procurement Specialist, Engr. Abdulgafar Kayode who called on him.
He assured that the State would do everything within its powers including the payment of second tranche of counterpart fund to ensure the project succeeds in Abia.
Ikpeazu while maintaining that agriculture remains the key for sustainable development, said the project is in line with his administration’s agricultural policy.
He says his adminstration is establishing Agro based Cottage Industries in all the 17 LGAs of the State commencing with 7 pilot Local Government Areas, adding that it would reduce rural-urban drift in the State, improve the economy as well as provide jobs and raw materials for industries.
According to the Governor, machines for the 7 pilot LGAs procured from the Tiny-Tech Corporation of India have already arrived the State.
Governor Ikpeazu equally disclosed that the State Government has already established Abia State Marketing and Quality Control Agency which ensures standardization of agricultural products produced in the State.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. Ikechi Mgboji informed that the State is ready for the Project and have shown the team the office accomodation and vehicles provided for the smooth takeoff of the project adding that the team have been taken to the Abia poultry cluster and farm settlements among others.
He expressed hope that with the level of preparedness, Abia State would be qualified for the project.
Earlier in his speech, the leader of the delegation and National Procurement Specialist, Agro Processing Productivity Enhancement & Livelihood Improvement Support (APPELIS) project , Engr. Abdulgafar Kayode said the team was in Abia to ascertain the readiness of the State in participating in the special agricultural project and to finalize discussions in that regard.
He appreciated the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for supporting the project and for being the first to pay counterpart fund for the project.
He said the team is happy with what the Governor is doing, adding that since the program is equally in line with the Governor’s policy thrust, he would authorize the payment of the second tranche of the Counterpart Fund.
