A’Ibom Promises To Be Nigeria’s Food Basket

The A’Ibom State Gov
ernment has said that it was set to make the State Nigeria’s food basket.
The State’s Commissioner for Agriculture Nathan Ekaette came up with this recently during an interactive session with staff of the ministry in Uyo, the state capital.
Ekaette explained that the drive by the State Government to make the area the agric hub of the country would be effectively implemented by the ministry.
He said his ministry would work assiduously in the task of diversifying the State’s monolithic economy driven over the years by oil cash from the Federation Account.
According to the agric boss, this would be achieved through the adequate development and implementation of appropriate agricultural policies of the state.
“We will aggressively harness the agricultural potentials of Akwa Ibom State for food security and wealth creation,” he said.
Under his watch at the ministry the commissioner said top priority would be given to agric value chain in addition to food production with a view to exploring the agricultural market not only in Nigeria, but Africa and the world as a whole.
He said the confidence reposed on him by the State Government would not be betrayed even as he called for the support and cooperation of the staff in order to achieve his goal and objectives.
In his remark, the permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Ekong Effiong expressed confidence on the ability of the agric boss to perform.
According to him, as an agricultural expert, the commissioner would use his wealth of experience to ensure adequate provision of food and other agricultural products including youth empowerment and revenue generation for the state.
While describing agriculture as a major sector in the development of the society, he assured the agric boss of the support of the workers in the task of implementing government policies and programmes.