By Ubong Sampson – Uyo
The Akwa Ibom Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has continued the distribution of relief materials to farmers affected by the 2020 flood in the State.
The second batch of the distribution, which was for farmers in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, was carried out on Saturday, October 2nd by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet, in a brief ceremony held at the Idongesit Nkanga Secretariat field and attended by farmers, farming groups, SEMA representatives, representative of the DG of NEMA, other stakeholders as well as Directors in the Ministry of Agriculture.
In her remarks, Dr. Edet opined that the passion of the Governor in the agriculture sector and his different empowerment programmes for farmers is what has attracted good things to the state. She added that the exercise was to cushion the effect of recent incident of flood which affected farmers in some parts of the state.
The Agriculture Boss while appreciating Governor Udom Emmanuel for giving agriculture its pride of place, explained that the exercise was organized to provide succour to affected farmers across the 3 senatorial districts of the state, Eket senatorial district took its turn on Thursday, 30th September, 2021, Ikot Ekpene, today Saturday and Uyo Senatorial District will take its turn on Monday, October 4. She advised the beneficiaries to make good use of the inputs, stressing that it is not to be sold.
Earlier in his remarks, the representative of the DG of NEMA, Dr. Obot appreciated the State government for taking Agriculture to another level and added that Akwa Ibom is one among the few states with landmark achievements in the agricultural sector. He appreciated the Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture for organising farmers in the state and advised that the inputs should be utilized efficiently.
Goodwill Messages were received from the President, Iban Utoiwang Akwa Ibom, Obonganwan Magdalene Udom, representative of SEMA, Mr. Uduak Obonukut, President, Female Farmers, Mrs.Margaret Nya, AFAN Coordinator, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Pastor Sunday Amos, Mr. Damian Egwu, State Supervisor, NEMA who all appreciated the Governor for attracting the federal Agency through his numerous programmes for farmers in the state.
They appreciated the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture for passionately interpreting the vision of the Governor for Agriculture and assured of their continuous partnership with the state Government.
A vote of thanks by Dr. Obot Obot, Director Vertirinary services, brought the colourful event to a close.
Inputs distributed were, water pump, fertilizers, maize seeds, rice seeds, growth enhancers, pesticides, herbicides and knapsack sprayers.
