Niger Delta
A’Ibom Plans 486 Rural Road Repairs To Boost Agric
Akwa Ibom State Government has pledged to rehabilitate 486 rural roads across the three senatorial districts of the state to create accessible links between the rural areas and the urban centres.
State Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Offiong Offor, disclosed this in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, during a ministerial briefing on Arise Scorecard Season 1.0, tagged: “Food Security and Sufficiency”.
She said the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, sponsored by the State Government, in collaboration with the World Bank and French Development Agency, would open up the rural areas, where agricultural activities are mainly carried out.
At the briefing were the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Ini Ememobong, the Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Emem Bob, and the Chairman of the Bulk Purchase Agency, Mr Dan Akpan.
Offor said, “When the rural roads are fixed, there will be a reduction in post-harvest losses, as farm produce will be easily conveyed to the urban areas.
The Commissioner highlighted the government’s commitment to food production through the distribution of farm inputs to different farmers and cooperative groups, adding that the AK-CARES project is another state government intervention, also in collaboration with the World Bank, which has contributed to poverty alleviation, hunger eradication and reducing the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.
She emphasized the importance of cooperative groups in increasing food production, adding that when people come together, they crossbreed ideas, easily access finance, and stand a better chance of having more resources for production as group farming was encouraged over individual farming.
The commissioner said the Young Farmers Club has been revived in public schools to foster interest and participation of students in farming activities.
“Governor Eno has supported public secondary schools and boarding schools in providing food for their students, by giving them farm inputs”, she said.
On his part, the Information Commissioner, Comrade Ememebong, underscored the significance of the briefing in effectively communicating the government’s efforts towards achieving food sufficiency and addressing multi-dimensional poverty, particularly in rural areas.
The Commissioner for Economic Development, Mr. Bob, said the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and the removal of petroleum subsidy by the President Boka Ahmed Tinubu-led administration prompted the idea of the AK-CARES project to support vulnerable households and farmers across the state.
Bob disclosed that the state social register has about 2.3 million vulnerable households, who will benefit from the Bulk Purchase Intervention.
Consultant to the Governor on Media, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, commended the initiatives on food availability, affordability, and stability.
Umanah urged Akwa Ibom people to embrace farming and support the government’s investment in agriculture.
Throwing more light on the essence of the Bulk Purchase Intervention, the chairman of the agency, Rt. Hon. Dan Akpan assured the public of the quality of food items distributed and called for the people’s support for the intervention to succeed.
The Delta State House of Assembly has commenced public hearing on the State Human Trafficking (Prohibition) Bill, 2024.
The Tide’s source reports that the public hearing was organised by the House Committee on Housing, Women Affairs, Humanitarian Support Services and Girl Child Entrepreneurship in Asaba.
Chairman of the committee, Mrs Bridget Anyafulu, said the hearing was to provide members of the public the opportunity to offer contributions to the proposed law.
“The ultimate goal is to ensure that the state has a law that adequately answers to the challenges it seems to address and satisfy the needs and aspirations of our people and society.
“We have invited you to join us to make a law that will help to effectively address and eradicate the odious practice of human trafficking in our state.
“We know that as stakeholders, the effective participation in making this law will go a long way in enhancing the quality of the law that will finally emerge from the process”, she said.
Anyafulu assured the stakeholders that the committee would look into their suggestions and consider areas that could help to strengthen the bill as well as enhance its quality.
On her part, the State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Community Support Services and Girl Child Development, Ms. Orode Uduaghan, called for the inclusion of the National Agency for the Protection of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in the implementation process.
It also reports that Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), State Ministry of Women Affairs, Ministry of Justice, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), among others, were involved in the public hearing.
They commended the State Executive for initiating the bill and called for its speedy passage.
The Federal Government has handed over 24,180 bags of 50kg maize and 5,828 bags of 25kg ‘garri’ to the Akwa Ibom State Government for distribution to vulnerable households.
The Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, made the presentation on behalf of the Federal Government in Uyo, the State Capital.
Represented by Mrs. Mmandu Aisueni, the Head, Operations, NEMA, Akwa Ibom State office, Umar said the donation was in fulfilment of President Bola Tinubu’s promise to Nigerians.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government approved the release of 42, 000 metric tonnes of assorted food items from the National Strategic Reserve to vulnerable households.
Umar said that the president’s promise was the government’s way of reducing the impact of the current economic hardship in the country.
“We are here to hand over the food items to the state government for distribution to the intended beneficiaries in the communities”, she said.
The NEMA D-G said that the food items should be shared in the communities through properly constituted committees at the local government levels.
She said membership of the local government committees should include the council chairman, representatives of the State Emergency Management Agency and the traditional institutions.
Umar said 20 per cent of the food items for each council area should be given to religious groups, and that three per cent of it should be given to boarding schools in the area.
Receiving the items, Dr Offiong Offor, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, commended the Federal Government for the intervention.
Offor said that the gesture was a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to the wellbeing of the citizenry.
The commissioner promised that the state government would ensure that the items were given to the intended beneficiaries.
A group, Concerned Obidient Movement, has declared support for Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the September 21 Edo State governorship election.
Leader of the group, Mr. Ikhuenbor Igbinevbo, told newsmen in Benin that the election transcends individual personalities.
“It is a critical moment that will shape the future of Edo. The PDP is creating a climate of renewed political energy that promises sustainable progress.
“Its candidate, Ighodalo, and the deputy, Osarodion Ogie, possess the vision and qualifications that align with the aspirations of Edo people,” he said.
Igbinevbo highlighted the candidates’ deep understanding of the State’s challenges and potential which, he said, positions them to lead the state into a new era of prosperity and responsible governance.
He urged Edo people, both at home and in the Diaspora, to unite in their support for the PDP and its candidates ahead of the election.
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