Yemisi Izuora/Abakaliki
The governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi has reiterated his administrations resolve to boost the states agriculture sector to support economic growth of the state.
Umahi said the state government is building on its agro sector to deal with the challenges of the present situation of economy recession as well investing in the solid mineral resources sector.
The governor, who spoke through the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General, Hon. Augustine Nwankwagu at the 22nd edition of the Finance Correspondents and Business Editors Seminar taking place at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, added that the state can boast of many untapped mineral resources.
The governor further said that his government has also agreed with a private partner to commence and revive the production of cement at Nigeria Cement Company (Nigercem), and also to tap into the funds made available by CBN and other financing institutions to develop their Agriculture.
Umahi added that Ebonyi state is also partnering with CBN by keying into the Anchor Borrowers program which has helped the state to develop and improve rice production, stressing that “We have Ebonyi rice called Abakaliki rice ” and that a bumper harvest is being expected this harvest.
In addition, the government has also taken the agricultural development further by empowering the youth, not only in crop production, but also through other forms of farming like fishery, poultry and piggery to enable the state come out of economy recession.
He added that security is another priory of this present government In Ebonyi, stressing that the state is very safe and there is a lot of road constructions going on in every local government area of the state.
The Branch controller, CBN Abakaliki, Obiekwe Obiageli in her welcome address said that the state is blessed with 25 solid minerals yet untapped for economic prosperity of the state, stating that the state has huge deposit of salt at Okposi and Uburu salts lake, which has the biggest deposit of salt anywhere in Nigeria.
She however added that, the CBN in Abakaliki is effectively providing resources to ensure that the state contributes to a prosperous non-oil sector for sustainable economic development of Nigeria, and is also sustaining increased internal and external collaboration, engagement and coordination with stakeholders, to ensure central banking services are delivered excellently and efficiently.