Imo State Governor

Towards achieving self-sustenance in agriculture, the Imo State government has introduced a policy tagged “BACK TO LAND FOR AGRICULTURE”. This initiative became imperative since the state can no longer depend on monthly allocation for survival.


The Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha unveiled the “Back To Land For Agriculture” policy when traditional rulers in the state, under the aegis of Royal Fathers in Agriculture, paid him courtesy visit at the Government House in Owerri. He said the State Executive Council has given approval to the new policy.
 
The “Back to Land for Agriculture” Programme would enable public servants in the state work from Mondays to Wednesdays, and use Thursdays and Fridays for agriculture (farming), while Saturdays can be used for ceremonies. This directive takes effect from Monday August 1, 2016.
 
However, the governor exempted public servants on essential duties like teachers, nurses, doctors and people involved in Internally Generated Revenue drive. Political appointees are also exempted from the three-days working periods.
 
 “We shall try this programme for the period of one year, starting from 1st of August 2016 and hopefully this will help. This does not in any way affect the salaries of the workers. Workers will get their full salaries, as is the practice. So the policy does not mean that there will be a cut in salary rather let us now find a way for our workers to supplement their salaries”, the governor said.
 
“For this reason the issue of annual leave and casual leave is hereby cancelled. Resumption time for work has changed from 8am to 7.30am in the morning and ends by 4pm. Any worker that is not found on his or her seat between 7.30am and 4pm on the days concerned will be summarily dismissed”, he added.

Governor Okorocha reiterated the need for everyone to be involved in agriculture. He also assured that finances would not affect the programme, noting that the State government has made the necessary provision to make funds available for civil servants. “Two billion naira (N2b) has been set aside at the micro-finance bank for the purpose of this Back to Land for Agriculture policy so that those willing can access it. And the time is gone when politicians and some Imolites will come to government in the pretence of farming and collect loans and use it to buy cars and marry new wives”, the Governor said.
 
While many have lauded Governor Rochas for this ambitious initiative, some agric experts have criticized the policy, wondering if the right inputs-such as roads, agricultural extension schemes, easily accessible land for farming, improved seeds and fertilizer-have been made available before unleashing the policy on Imolite civil servants.