FG donates 120 tilling machines to farmers in Akpabuyo, Bakassi
In line with the agricultural policy of the Federal Government, Usani Uguru Usani, minister of Niger Delta affairs, recently flagged of the commissioning and distribution of about 120 habitto tilling machines to farmers in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State.
The minister, who also distributed 96 sewing machines, five laptops and 77 wrappers to women, said the gesture was in tune with the Social Investment programme of the Federal Government and advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the opportunity provided by the government.
“The mission of the
Ministry is to promote sustainable development, peace and economic prosperity in the Niger Delta region, which can only be achieved with promotion of an enabling environment for industrialization, by adding value to agricultural commodities, enhancing the capacities of farmers, generation of employment, increase farmers’ income and sustainable food security in the region,” Usanii said.
“Nigeria is currently the highest producer of cassava in the world and this huge production in the country may be wasted if not properly processed and utilised for economic prosperity,” he said.
Usani noted that the choice of A kpabuyo commu n i t y in the distribution of tilling machines was in recognition of the people’s agrarian nature and the need to ensure that farming produce was hygienically processed for both local and export consumptions.
Usani also during the day commissioned 40 units of 2- room and 3- room bungalow housing estate at Bakassi Local Government develop by the ministry and initiated during the administration of former P r e s i d e nt Goodluck Jonathan that was laid siege on by Bakassi militants.
In his remarks, the paramount ruler of Bakassi, Etim Okon Edet, thanked the ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for commissioning and allocating the houses to the less-privileged ones, but noted that the gesture was a palliative measure and advised the Federal Government to do a proper resettlement programme for the people of Bakassi, who were ask to leave their ancestral homes.