…………The 2024 World Food Day celebration will be celebrated this week in the state.
The theme for this year’s celebration, which holds at the International Conference Center, is “The Right To Food For a Better Life and a Better Future.”
Briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s executive council meeting at government House Umuahia, the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu said the event will be used to raise awareness on food security and the need to avert global hunger.
The world food day is a day that is reserved or used to raise awareness about food security and to take action against country wide hunger and malnutrition.
It is a day that serves as a reminder of the need to ensure security and access to food nutrition”
He disclosed that the process for the disbursement of loan for the three hundred and two (302) CSS farm trained -Youth- Farmers has commenced following the flag off of the exercise by the state government.
“The process for the disbursement of interest-free loans in 302 CSS farms trained youth farmers has commenced.
“This follows the flag off and approval of the Disbursement of interest free loans by His Excellency, Dr Alex Otti sometime in the month of September. Despite this loan approval, the Ministry of Agriculture will ensure a guided disbursement of the loans to ensure that there is no abuse of the scheme.”
The Information Commissioner added that the ministry of agriculture will ensure guided disbursement of the loan to avoid abuse, adding that the disbursement will be in tranches according to the Agric venture undertaken by various trainees.
“Beneficiaries will not be given one balloon payment. Rather, the disbursement will be in tranches on milestones that will be tied to the level and extent of work done by the beneficiaries.
All these are to ensure that the loans are adequately utilized,” Prince Kanu stated.
He announced that Abia is free from any new case of cholera, diphtheria, Lassa fever, and M-Pox.
“As at date, Abia State is free from any new cases of Cholera, Lassa fever, Diphtheria and M-pox and what that speaks to is the fact that the state ministry of health is alive to their duties and working round the clock to ensure that Abians and Abia residents enjoy good health and healthy living”.
He said that Governor Alex Otti will on the 28th of this month flag off free screening exercise for hypertension and diabetes patients across the 17 LGAS of the state, adding that Roche Diagnostic Will be partnering the state in the project to the tune of 30 million naira.
Contributing, the Commissioner for Agriculture ,Dr Cliff Agbaeze said that the world food day which is set aside to celebrate the Agriculture will provide opportunities for farmers to showcase their Agricultural produce as well as provide opportunity for interactions between farmers and stakeholders.
He explained that the interest free loan for the first batch of CSS Farm trainees ranges from one to three million naira depending on the Agric venture undertaken by each beneficiary, adding that the ministry will see them through the process.
Abiakam Gloria Ifeyinwa
HOC, FIC, ABIA STATE.
