The Special Adviser to the Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, on General Duties, Barr. Ekpenyong Akiba, says the governor has demonstrated unalloyed commitment and determination towards fulfilling his promise to build the state’s economy on agriculture.
Akiba made the remarks while speaking in an interview on the recent inauguration of a multi-stakeholder committee constituted by Otu to draw up a strategic development framework for the optimization of oil palm, cocoa and coffee value chains in Cross River and other laudable steps taken by Governor Otu to boost agriculture.
According to Akiba, “It is a known fact obvious for everyone to see that our governor has indeed set out major reforms in the agricultural sector of the state which are ongoing. Before now His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu had set up a committee to carry out a digital soil mapping and fertility survey to ascertain the fertility status of soils across the state. And recently the committee submitted its report which indicated that we have over 27 soil types in Cross River State. And these soil types are all useful and suitable for different kinds of crop production. So, a farmer can now know the fertility level of the soil which is suitable for a particular crop type that he or she wants to plant in Cross River State. For the governor to go in that direction is enough to explain his willingness, commitment, determination and readiness to invest and create opportunity through agriculture.
“In fact, in one of his presentations, the governor had submitted that the kind of reforms that we are having today in Cross River State is akin to what was witnessed in the days of Michael Opara during his reign in the Southeastern region. We all agree that agriculture is a weapon for poverty reduction, food sustainability and human survival. So, for us in Cross River, it’s a good thing to see that His Excellency has made this particular sector the main focus of his administration as it will certainly grow our economy. In the state we are talking about a massive cocoa investment. We are talking about oil palm investment. We are talking about coffee investment and other crops. These options have been taken because the governor believes that the different crops if properly harnessed will create wealth and employment, and also increase our internally generated revenue. Don’t forget that our land is very arable.”
He further stated: “For me, the governor has shown pragmatic leadership and demonstrated in many ways that he is truly determined to boost agriculture. For instance, we have 3.5 million oil palm seedlings already earmarked for planting. We are going to begin the planting of oil palm seedlings that will now metamorphose into the palm fruits that will now be used for different purposes. The governor has already earmarked 3.5 million for planting this year. As we speak we have also launched a transparent digital management of N30billion commercial agric development fund which is referred to as Project Grow. The commencement of the extension of the smallholder cocoa development scheme will lead to the development of new cocoa estates and regeneration of existing ones with the inauguration of the multi-stakeholder committee.”
Expressing confidence that the various reforms and initiatives of the Otu’s administration in the agricultural sector would yield the desired results and better the lives of Cross Riverians, the special adviser said: “Well, one of the guarantee that the reforms and plans of Governor Otu would come to fruition is the multi-stakeholder committee that he has constituted, bringing together experts, professionals, agriculturists who will bring their experiences and expertise to bear in the planning and implementation. His Excellency has stated very clearly that the future of agricultural development in the state, and even our economic advancement rest on those experts that we were able to put together in the multi-stakeholder committee.
“So for me when you put up a committee with stakeholders who are experts, who are farmers themselves and successful in farming, who have done their businesses in farming privately and have also grown industrially, it is a guarantee for progress. The moment His Excellency has been able to put those calibre of stakeholders, senior citizens, professionals together and give them a mandate, it is a confirmation that he is really determined. For me, that is one leg of the guarantee.
“The other leg of the guarantee is that His Excellency is also engaging with the federal government and investors. When you begin to have investors who can come in and take advantage of your soil fertility then you can be sure that there will be mechanized farming in the state and there will be increase in investment and increase in productivity.
“And another window of guarantee is that His Excellency is also doing a lot in terms of infrastructural development – road construction. He is doing a lot in terms of infrastructural development. And a lot of road construction. One major obstacle or road block that has been obstructing agricultural development in the South-south region, not just in Cross River, has been having a good road network for our agricultural products to be transported from one point to another. And His Excellency is doing a lot of road rehabilitation. That is also a guarantee.
“In Cross River for now we can boast that the city is back in terms of security. When there is security, foreigners and independent organisations that are into agricultural investments will have the confidence to invest in agriculture in the state. These are the lines of guarantees that our very hardworking, dynamic, purposeful and innovative governor has been able to put in place which is quite commendable.”
Akiba added: “On a final note, it is very instructive to note that His Excellency’s commitment in agriculture is multi-sectoral. We have a lot of investments in aquaculture where we are engaging in fishery. And His Excellency also has earmarked as a window for empowerment for people to engage in poultry, piggery, goatery and all that whereby people independently will also create their own wealth from those ventures. So the governor’s approach to agricultural advancement in the state is multi-sectoral.”
