Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has told investors and the people of the state that his incoming administration will transform the state from subsistence agriculture to the hub of agro-allied industrialisation which will be driven by technology.
In continuation of his town hall meetings in Aninri East and Aninri South Development Centres of the state on Wednesday, Mbah told his audience of businessmen and sections of the communities, that agriculture is the crude oil of the state.
The oil and gas investor however said there cannot be meaningful development without quality infrastructure in the state.
Mbah said his administration would spark integrated development and industrialisation which will migrate agriculture from the present sub-optimal and low production to agro-allied industrialisation, with the state targeting not only to be the food basket of the nation but to go into net exporting of agriculture produce.
On how he intended to achieve the ambitious project, Mbah said the revolution in the agriculture sector will be driven by technology through mechanisation and new infrastructure.
“We have many programmes that are productivity based that will move our economy from its present $4.4 billion to $30 billion. Aninri will be a key part towards achieving the project. As you know, agriculture contributes 40% of the gross domestic product of our economy. So, our own crude oil here in Aninri is agriculture because we have arable land here. We are going to guard our land jealously and address all cases of trespass on our land.
He said the town hall meetings were aimed at ascertaining the people’s needs and integrate them in his programmes for them.
The meetings have availed the communities their professional bodies the opportunity to interact with Mbah and make demands from his anticipated government in 2023.
They have attracted thousands of community and religious leaders, traders, market women, farmers, and other trade union bodies who expressed concerns about the future of the state and what they expected from Mbah’s administration.
In their separate speeches at the two development centres, the member representing Aninri State Constituency at the House of Assembly, Hon. Chinedu Okwu and the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, Hon. Uchenna Ogbonna bemoaned the recurring flood menace in the area during rainy season which they blamed for low productivity in their farming produce.
They urged Mbah to complete the abandoned water dam commenced by the federal government in the area, stressing that the governorship candidate has the intellectual grits, competence and proven capacity to make a huge difference in the lives of the people.
Bemoaning the frequent clashes between the people of the area and some parts of Ebonyi State over land disputes, the duo accused the government of Ebonyi State of trespass, bellicosity and land grabbing, saying the intervention of Mbah will bring a lasting solution to the feud.
They further called on Mbah to look into the state of their decaying road to enable them move their farm produce to markets, while also observing that the area is in dire need of fire station to avert fire outbreak that has been notorious in the area in dry season.
On their part, the presidents-general of Okpanku and other neighbouring communities led by Obiora Obasi, Chief Engr. Jonathan Achara, retired Justice Okeke, among others, called for the establishment of new hospitals and upgrade of the existing ones, adding that youth empowerment in the area was a key concern to them.
Also speaking were Hon. Sabastine, Sir Ogbonna Chukwu, Barr. Peter Ajah, Mrs. Happiness Ajah, a former Commissioner for Education, Prof Uche Okolo, Pastor Nwankwo Chukwuma, Ejikeme Christopher, Philip Ikechukwu, among others, urged Mbah to provide an enabling environment to encourage the dominantly agrarian area in their farming activities.
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