The Akwa Ibom State governor, Pastor Umo Eno has suggested that the only way out of the prevailing poverty in the country is for everyone to engage in subsistent agriculture.
Governor Eno said this explained his administration’s declaration of two working days (first and last Fridays) of every month for civil servants to till their farms.
He, therefore, charged civil servants in the state to utilise the holidays for farming only, even as he warned of consequences for those who will abuse the policy.
Speaking during inspection tour of local government area demonstration farms at Nsit Ibom and Nsit Ubium LGAs at the weekend, the governor urged every citizen and residents to strive to produce at least what they consume.
He stressed the need for all to return to farm as in a bid to lower the price of staple food items as he had given a marching order to all LGAs to go into farming.
Governor Eno said he was delighted by the report of the achievements recorded by Hon. Otobong Aaron-led transition committee in Nsit Ibom, and decided to visit the farm to see things by himself.
He commended Hon. Aaron and the transition committee members for keying into the agricultural revolution of his administration, urging ward chairmen to replicate same gesture in their respective wards to enable the administration attain its food sufficiency goals.
The Governor specifically commended the synergy between the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and Nsit Ibom LGA in the training of young people in agriculture, expressing optimism that the synergy will enhance growth and productivity.
He said, “I am happy, but I want to thank the Chairman of Nsit Ibom local government for the work and effort she has put in. This is not a day’s work. It means she keyed into the vision and ran with it.
“One of the reports I got was when the House of Assembly came on inspection of what the interim local government chairmen have achieved. I felt very happy, with what is going on here, so I decided to visit to see it myself. I am very impressed.
“But it’s more than just the farming, the way she goes about it. We have seen that the Director from the Ministry of Agriculture is working with the local government, training the young people in the farm and then sending them back to their own farms, which is what really gives me joy because you can see the multiplier effect.”
