Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has stated his administration’s full commitment to collaborate with the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority (AIRBDA), in transforming the State’s Agricultural sector and other areas of interest.
Governor Otti who stated this when he received in audience the Management Committee of the Anambra -Imo River Basin Development Authority, led by its Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, at Nvosi Isialangwa South LGA, promised that his government will work closely with the Authority for the benefit of the state and the South East region in general.
The Governor noted that the state government is seriously working on transiting the state from subsistence farming to a value -chain system of Agriculture with emphasis on processing and value addition to improving the revenue base of the state.
He commended the delegation from deciding to prioritise the State in their engagements, stressing that Agriculture remains the mainstay of the Nigeria’s economy and a central pillar of economic development for his administration.
Dr Otti outlined his administration’s efforts in the sector to include identifying, reclaiming and revitalizing long abandoned farm settlements across the State.
He used the forum to establish a joint technical committee to crystallise the partnership and directed the Commissioners for Agriculture, Lands, Environment, and the Managing Director of the Abia State Public -private Partnership and Investment Promotion, to engage directly with the Anambra-Imo River Basin Development Authority to identify and deliver achievable results.
In his address, the Chairman, Anambra- Imo River Basin Development Authority, Senator Anosike, explained that the delegation’s visit to Abia State was part of a tour of South-East States to introduce the Committee Members and explore areas of possible collaboration and stressed the need for strong partnerships with government of the South East States to revitalize Agricultural Production.
Senator Anosike while noting that although the headquarters of the Commission is in Imo state, the team chose to commence its official engagement in Abia because of its strategic importance, particularly in Agriculture, which falls within their core mandate.
Senator Anosike lamented the decline in productivity on over 1,300 hectares of land previously used for rice, cassava and fish farming that the Agency was known for within the South East region, and attributed it to weakened collaboration with States and appealed to the State Government to support efforts to revive the Agricultural assets for the benefit of the region and reaffirmed the Committee’s readiness to work closely with the State and the South-East Development Commission in areas of Agriculture among others.
He, however, commended Governor Otti for the State’s improved infrastructure under his administration and commitment to leaving Abia better than he met the state.
