Ebonyi To Boost Rice Production

Governor  Martin Elechi
of Ebonyi  State  has expressed his government’s determination  to  boost food production in the country through increased rice production.
Elechi made the pledge in Abakaliki during an interactive session with members of the “Course 22’’ of the National Defence College, Abuja, who were on a tour of the state.
The governor, who was represented by Chief Fidelis Mbam, the Secretary to the State Government, noted that increased rice production in the state and in the country, in general, would end the importation of staple food into Nigeria.
“Ebonyi is determined to contribute effectively to the country’s food security, while conserving our foreign exchange.
“This informed the establishment of three rice mill clusters in the three senatorial zones of the state to boost rice production.
“What we are saying is that Ebonyi is about to carve a niche for itself in the area of food security,” he said.
Elechi, however, said that the strength of each state of the federation should be encouraged by the Federal Government in efforts to actualise the goals of its transformation agenda.
He also stressed that efforts should be made to ensure the infrastructural development of the nation, saying that this would consequently fast-track the country’s development.
He, therefore, underscored the need to increase budgetary allocations to the states.
Elechi commended the course team for choosing Ebonyi for their study tour, stressing that the state had performed creditably in efforts to develop the infrastructure.
“The secret of our success is based on the prudent management of our meagre resources.
“In Ebonyi, the stakeholders pool resources for the implementation of meaningful ventures,’’ he added.
The team leader, Brig.-Gen. Rogers Nicholas, said that Ebonyi was selected by the college for the study tour, in view of its remarkable achievements in infrastructural development.
“We came to witness the infrastructural transformation of the state and make our own independent assessment of the whole scenario.
“Truly, Ebonyi has undergone rapid infrastructural development and this is commendable, although there are some areas that still need improvement,” he said.
The interactive session was attended by representatives of the government’s ministries, departments and agencies.