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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Cross River State executive council has approved the procurement of 108 Units of 3-Wheel Agricultural Tractors.
This is aimed at boosting mechanized farming by Small Holders Farmers across the State,thus creating employment and promoting food security.
This was disclosed after the 3rd State Executive Council Meeting which was presided over by the State governor Senator Bassey Otu.
The state Commissioner of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo Jnr. who presented the request for the procurement explained that the tractors will boost efforts in mechanized agriculture.
Giving more details on the tractors, he said “On delivery, the tractors will be distributed to 6 youths’ cooperatives of 10 members each in all the 18 local government areas to enable them provide mechanization services to large scale commercial agriculture.
“The scheme is expected to create 1,080 direct jobs, 1,200 indirect jobs and improved livelihood for an estimated 2,700 rural households.
“Moreso, beneficiaries will have six years to repay the principal sum only with a three months moratorium inclusive”, he said.
The Council also approved the completion of the abandoned headquarters of the Local government service Commission as well as the upgrade of the Ikom General Hospital.
The Council also approved three Executive Bills for presentation to the Cross River State House of Assembly.
The bills are an amendment to the Cross River State Security Trust Fund Law 2010; a Bill to provide for the mainstreaming of Climate Change actions and establishment of the State Council on Climate Change and other related Matters and a Bill for the establishment of Cross River State Green Economy Commission and other related matters therewith.
Earlier the state governor affirmed his administration’s commitment to extend road infrastructure and re-construction of internal roads to other parts of the state.
The governor whose remarks was made available by his Chief Press Secretary, Nsa Gill listed the areas to include Ogoja,Ikom, Ugep as well as the completion of the Boki East-West road.
Others are the Yahe – Ebo – Izekwe – Wanokom – Wanikade – Benue border road, Oban road in Akamkpa as well as Adiabor-Odukpani-Itu road.
