FIC Report (Abia State) – Abia State Government says it is determined to create a new pathway of wealth for its citizens by providing them the needed support to make the most of the available resources domiciled in the State.
Governor Alex Otti stated this during the flag-off of the disbursement of the Interest-Free Agricultural Empowerment Loan to 298 individuals trained at the CSS Farm, Nasarawa State by the Abia State Government.
The Governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, PhD, disclosed that the State government is committed to making agriculture a fulcrum of economic development and job creation policies of the Government.
“Additionally, it sets a foundation for a new model of empowerment designed to effectively make our people financially independent in the long run, working for themselves and adding real value to our gross domestic output”.
He used the forum to announce a new set of programmes to cushion the effect of hardship in the country in the next few weeks. According to him, the Labour Party Government is determined to do things differently, adding that in the last 16 months, he has focused on the common people and how to uplift their economic and social conditions.
Governor Otti, who said that Government expects much from the beneficiaries, adding that more money would be made available to those who are committed to the project. He advised them to make judicious use of the funds.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze said the trained farmers will train 3 others each, while the State will also train more to continue its multiplier effect.
He disclosed that the Government intended to mainstream modern Agricultural practices into the educational curriculum beginning from the basics.
The Commissioner informed the gathering that the Ministry of Agriculture has put in place a monitoring schedule to monitor progress of the beneficiaries.
Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Ms. Chioma Onyekachi appreciated Governor Alex Otti for sending them to be trained at the CSS Farm and assured that they would utilize the loan and contribute to the food security in the State.
Abiakam Gloria Ify
HOC, Umuahia, Abia State.
