Business
Commissioner Explains N600m Agric Grant
The Imo State Commissioner for Lands, Survey, Housing and Urban Development, Mr Uche Nwosu, said yesterday that the N600 million approved by the government for communities was for agriculture development.
Nwosu gave the explanation while inaugurating members of the Community Government Council (CGC) in the nine autonomous communities of Nkwere at Nkwere Local Government Headquarters of Imo State.
He disclosed the communities were expected to produce a survey plan of their areas in addition to providing one hectare for agriculture.
He said the communities, comprising Owerri Nkworji, Umudi Nkwere, Umuawala, Isiala Umudi, Umugro and others, would access the loan on the payment of N250,000 counterpart fund.
The state government had recently set aside N600 million for communities to access N1 million loan on the payment of N250, 000 counterpart fund.
The Commissioner advised the CGC members not to see their position as political but as avenues to reach members of their communities in the spirit of the rescue mission agenda of the government.
He said that the present administration of the state was interested in people’s participation in governance through the Community Government Council.
Nwosu urged the CGC members to work in collaboration with traditional rulers and elders in their communities to preserve the culture of the people.
Earlier, the member representing Nkwere in Imo State House of Assembly, Mr Obinna Okwara, said the CGC was established by Law No. 1 of 2013.
He said the law provides that Executive Secretaries and former Presidents-General would be the signatories of CGC bank account of the various communities.
He added that the essence of the council was to decentralise government to the grassroots.