Akwa Ibom to launch Agriculture Master Plan

Udom Gabriel Emmanuel

The Akwa Ibom State government has said it would soon commence an agro-based master plan in rural communities aimed at diversifying its economy from oil dependency.

The commissioner for Rural Development, Mr. Sampson Ekong, stated this weekend when he visited Nto Udo Ewan, in Ika local government area of the state.

The commissioner, who had earlier visited Ini; Nsit Atai; Onna; Mkpat Enin; and Oruk Anam local government areas, said the government needed to identify the needs of the communities so that it could provide necessary infrastructure to aid government’s economic plan.

Ekong who explained that his tour of rural communities is necessitated by the passion and willingness of Governor Udom Emmanuel to impact rural communities positively said over 400 rural communities have been identified for the agro based initiatives.

He enjoined them to make land available to government in support of the state’s agricultural economic renaissance.

“Considering the moribund economic state of Nigeria, we are compelled to diversify our economy. This move will require the cooperation and collaboration of our rural communities like Ika in providing land for agriculture and other government interventions.

“Ika LGA is very important and strategic in Akwa Ibom as it has been endowed with vast fertile land. Rural communities hold the key to the much desired diversification and that is why we have to seek your cooperation and collaboration so that we as a state can provide jobs for the teeming youths of Akwa Ibom.”
Ekong said he was aware of infrastructural deficit in Ika and other rural communities, and urged the rural dwellers to be patient with government.