Abia Community Urges Revitalisation Of Farm Settlement

The Ohuhu community in Abia State, has appealed to  the  State Government to revamp the Ulonna Farm Settlement in Umuahia North Local Government Area to boost food production and the state’s economy.

The community made the appeal  during the inauguration of the Nkata-Umukabia Road by Governor Theodore Orji.

The President-General of Ohuhu Welfare Union, Mr Ejikeme Ikwunze, said that the settlement would help to create job opportunities in the state if it was revamped.

Ikwunze, who is the Director of Abia Sports Council, said Malaysia, which purchased its first oil palm seedlings from the farm settlement, had become a major exporter of oil palm.

“In 1960 some Malaysia agriculturists came all the way from Kuala Lumpur and picked oil palm seedlings from the farm in our clan at the time Nigeria was a net exporter of oil palm produce.

“Today, Malaysia has become a net exporter of palm oil, while Nigeria is wallowing in the quagmire of oil palm produce,’’ Ikwunze said.

Our correspondent reports that the moribund farm settlement was established by late Dr Michael Okpara, the premier of Eastern region.

The community also called for the revamping of the abandoned Compost Recycling Centre at Ofeme, near Umuahia, which was initiated by late Dr Sam Mbakwe as the governor of the old Imo.

Ikwunze said that the project would help to provide jobs for the people as well as promote sanitary condition in the area.

Orji said while inaugurating the project that the Nkata-Umukabia Road was constructed to ease transportation problem in the area.

He said further that it was done to reciprocate the support he received from the community and prominent sons of the area, including the former Champion Newspapers’ Managing Director, Chief Bob Ogbuagu, during and after his election.

The governor had earlier commissioned the Okweyi Road also in Umuahia North Local Government Area.

Senators Nkechi Nwogu (Abia Central), Uche Chukwumerije (Abia north) and members of the state assembly were present at the inauguration.