Abia State Government has announced that it is set to kick-start the distribution of Federal Government-sponsored fertilizer palliatives to rural and semi-urban farmers from Tuesday 24th to Saturday 28th September 2024.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Policies and Interventions, Rev. Fr. Christian Anokwuru, disclosed this while briefing Journalists in company of the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze and the S.A to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma.
Rev Fr. Anokwuru emphasized that the move which aims to support the state’s agricultural sector and boost food production is part of the federal government’s plan to mitigate the challenges faced by rural farmers, particularly in the wake of subsidy removal.
The Governor’s Aide who gave a detailed breakdown of the distribution across 15 LGA said the exercise will commence on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, in Umuahia North, Umuahia South, and Isialangwa South Local Government Areas (LGAs).
According to him, farmers in Ohafia, Bende, and Isialangwa North will receive their share on Wednesday, September 25, while distribution will continue on Thursday, September 26, for Ugwunagbo, Osisioma, and Ukwa East.
He said that Isuikwuato, Umunneochi, and Ukwa West are scheduled for Friday, September 27 adding that the distribution will conclude on Saturday, September 28, in Arochukwu, Obingwa, and Ikwuano LGAs.
Rev Fr Anokwuru gave insight on the exclusion of Aba North and South LGAs, explaining that the distribution focused on ensuring that the fertilizers reach farmers in need, particularly in rural and agricultural active areas.
“To ensure the fertilizers reach those who need them most, we excluded certain urban wards with minimal farming activities and focused on agricultural areas of the state, bringing the total number of the LGAs that receive the fertilizer bags to 15 LGAs excluding Aba North and South LGAs”, he stated.
The Policies and Interventions Boss while providing update on the distribution of three previous batches of the Federal Government palliatives, emphasized the state government’s transparency in handling the process.
The Governor’s Aide said the First Batch of Palliatives received in December 2023, saw the distribution of 30,800 bags of 50kg rice across the state, adding that the second batch of 24,000 bags of 25kg rice received in March 2024 were distributed, with 19,524 bags allocated to civil servants on grade levels 1-8 while the remaining 4,476 bags were distributed to persons with disabilities, orphanages, widows, and other vulnerable groups, in collaboration with the Ministry of Women Affairs and the Office of the Wife of the Governor.
Fr Anokwuru said that third batch received in May 2024, comprised 13,260 bags of maize and 3,196 bags of garri, were distributed across all 17 LGAs, faith-based organizations, and boarding schools and pointed out that the fourth batch brought in 8,900 bags of Urea and NPK fertilizers, which would be distributed next week.
He thanked Governor Alex Otti for his commitment to ensuring that the palliatives are distributed fairly and transparently to the people of the state.
“Through his initiative, we are making sure that the quality of lives of Ndi Abia significantly improves despite the economic hardship we are currently experiencing.
“We are committed to see that this initiative is just a stepping stone for greater things to truly take this state to more levels of prosperity”, Rev Fr Anokwuru concluded.
