Abia Govt Announces Intentions To Revamp Moribund Farm Estates, Settlements

Charles Ogbonnaya — Thu, 22 Jun 2023 17:00:48 +0000

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.

The post Abia Govt Announces Intentions To Revamp Moribund Farm Estates, Settlements first appeared on National Ambassador News.

FARM SETTLEMENT COMMUNITIES CAUTIONED AGAINST BREACH OF PEACE

National Ambassador. — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 17:43:02 +0000

By Charles Ogbonnaya

Communities in Ulonna North Farm Settlement have been warned to live in harmony and stop encroachment into Government lands in the settlement.

The deputy governor of Abia State, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu who handed down the warning at government house Umuahia during a meeting with communities that donated lands to the farm settlement warned that the inactivities at the settlement should not be seen as a reason to encroach into government lands meant for development.

Sir Oko Chukwu also told the contending communities – Nenye in Isuikwuato and Umuezike Ofeme , Umuahia North to maintain peace and avoid acts that could breach peace not only in the settlement but the State as a whole because of importance of peace to the development of the State.

Represented by the Commissioner for Boundary Matters and Conflict Resolution. Chief Mascot Obike Imo said that government would look into the compliants of individuals lands that fall into the donated lands for the settlement and announced the setting up of a committee made up of members of the State boundary committed and two members each from the donor communities to know the extent of encroachment into lands in the settlement as well as identified individuals lands in the place.

In his contribution, the Special Assistant to Governor on Boundary Matters, Chief Chris Nwanevo said that the land in question belong to the state government and urged them to live in peace among themselves.

In their separate speeches, the deputy chairman, Umuahia North LGA, Pastor Anthony, Chief of staff, Isuikwuato LGA, Hon Mgbado Chinweike commended the State government for his efforts to ensure that peace reign in their communities and appealed to the government to come into the land dispute and seek ways to resolve it.

Also Speaking, the representatives of both communities including, Chief Andrew Ekeledo, Chief Vincent Nwachukwu, Nze Alex Madu and Chief Okechukwu Akubundu all appealed to the state government to help them restore peace in the disputed lands.

The post FARM SETTLEMENT COMMUNITIES CAUTIONED AGAINST BREACH OF PEACE first appeared on National Ambassador News.

Ulonna North Farm Settlement - National Ambassador News

Abia Govt Announces Intentions To Revamp Moribund Farm Estates, Settlements

FARM SETTLEMENT COMMUNITIES CAUTIONED AGAINST BREACH OF PEACE