Abia Govt Flags-Off Disbursement of Interest-Free Loans to Abia Farmers Trained at CSS Farms
Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti has reaffirmed his administration’s determination to continue creating new pathways of wealth for Abians.
Governor Otti who stated this at the flag-off of the disbursement of INTEREST FREE AGRIC LOANS EMPOWERMENT to the 302 successful Abia trained farmers from CSS FARMS, held at the International Conference Centre Umuahia, disclosed that the decision is geared towards providing the citizens with the needed support to make the most out of the resources across their communities.
The Governor represented by his Chief of Staff, Pastor Caleb Ajagba while congratulating the 298 beneficiaries of the State’s Agricultural Empowerment and Support Initiative for demonstrating great discipline and determination, noted that the event marks the fulfillment of his promise to offer the trainees the financial leverage to establish their agro-ventures, and on an incremental basis, give them the structured support to become self-employed, as well as employers of Labour.
“This initiative is strategic and showcases our commitment to making agriculture a cornerstone of economic development.
“The Labour Party Government is committed to innovative approaches, as evidenced by our governance over the past 16 months. We are focused on uplifting the economic and social conditions of our people,” he stated.
The State Chief Executive maintained that the event is strategic as it demonstrates his administrations commitment to making agriculture a major fulcrum of economic development and set the foundation for a new model of empowerment.
“The Government will in the next few weeks announce new sets of programme to cushion the effect of the hardship many individuals and families are passing through presently. What I can immediately assure you is that we are mindful of the current state of hardship in the land and will not just leave you unsupported,” he said.
He reminded the 298 beneficiaries that government expects much from them, pointing out that a strict monitoring schedule has been developed by the State Ministry of Agriculture and the Agricultural Development Programme, ADP to ensure that the funds are judiciously utilized.
In his address, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze, commended Governor Otti for his giant strides across all facets of the state economy and for fulfilling the promise he made to the beneficiaries at the inception of their training at the CSS Farms in Nasarawa State earlier this year.
Dr Agabeze disclosed that the objective of the training is to transform agriculture from a mere subsistence engagement to a business that not only puts food on the table, makes one food self-reliant and secure but also puts money in their individual pockets, that of the state and ultimately makes them a net exporter of processed agricultural products.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, Chioma Onyekachi thanked Governor Alex Otti for his sustained support to them throughout their training at CSS Farms in Nasarawa State and assured him that they will put the funds into good use.
The event which featured presentation of offer letters to the beneficiaries, also attracted the presence of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Ijeoma Adanma-Aguwa, Program Manager of Abia ADP, Elder Okoro Nleanya, Management and staff of the ministry of Agriculture, top government officials among others.