Otti Unveils Large-Scale Rice Farming To Boost Agriculture In Abia
The Abia State Government is set to Flag off a major wet season rice farming initiative, targeting 8,500 hectares of land across Abia North, as part of its ongoing efforts to bolster food security and enhance agricultural productivity.
Addressing the media during a press briefing, Prince Okey Kanu, the Commissioner for Information, revealed that the programme would be implemented under the state’s In-Growers Scheme, which aims to integrate farmers and cooperatives across various crop value chains.
“For this flag off, there are over 400 genuine and authenticated rice farmers at Ndi Okereke Abam, farming on over 500 hectares of land that have been verified. There is cultivation of rice on an additional 150 hectares of land at Owerrinta.
“Before now, you were informed that the state government through the ministry had commenced planting of rice in that part of the state. This move will be replicated at other state-owned rice farmers at Bende, Mkpa, Ofeme, Ozuitem, Ndi Okereke and Ndi Ochi, Abam,” he said.
The Commissioner underscored that the state government’s focus is not just on increasing production but also on ensuring that the benefits of the programme are widely distributed among local farmers and cooperatives, with a view to creating sustainable livelihoods and reducing food insecurity.
In a related development, Prince Kanu announced an extension of the deadline on the invitation for the Expression of Interest (EOI) on the state’s recovered plantations. The deadline has now been moved to May 15, 2025, to provide additional time for prospective investors to submit their applications. The extension, the Commissioner explained, is aimed at ensuring a more thorough and transparent selection process.
“We are no longer in an era where these agricultural assets were seen as available to all comers. We are now seeking credible and serious investors who can add real value to the agricultural assets of the state,”Prince Kanu remarked, signaling the state’s commitment to attracting high-quality investors.
Turning to industrial development, the Commissioner provided updates on the Abia Industrial Park project, revealing that compensation payments to landowners affected by the development have now been fully completed. He said Bush clearing activities are now underway at the project site, setting the stage for the construction of a modular refinery with a production capacity of 10,000 barrels per day.
“Full-scale construction of the modular refinery will commence in May, following the necessary approvals granted to HSI,” he stated.
In the energy sector, Prince Kanu further disclosed that the state government had engaged with the management of the NNPC Port Harcourt Refinery and NNPC Retail to ensure that Abia receives sufficient allocation of petroleum products, particularly with the reopening of the Osisioma depot.
Looking ahead to the global stage, the Commissioner announced that Abia State would participate in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference, scheduled to take place from June 16 to 26, 2025, in Bonn, Germany. He described the state’s participation as an opportunity to demonstrate Abia’s commitment to sustainable development, particularly in the areas of climate adaptation and green energy.
“This conference will enable the state to ramp up its adaptation and mitigation efforts as the state puts together a technical dossier on climate change integrated response.,” Kanu said.
On infrastructure development, the Commissioner reported that ongoing road rehabilitation works were being carried out at 36 locations across the state under the Direct Labour scheme. Furthermore, 31 road projects awarded on contract are progressing as planned.
Kanu highlighted that the long-awaited commissioning of Otako Road in Aba was imminent, alongside new projects including the Bende-Idima-Abam Road, the Ariaria-Timber market Road in Aba, and the dualisation of the Obuaku-Industrial City Road in Ukwa-West Local Government Area.
In response to concerns about transport regulation, the Commissioner announced that the state had decided to shift the enforcement date for mandatory vehicle registration from 1 May to 1 June 2025. This extension, he explained, would provide vehicle owners with more time to comply with the new regulation.
Kanu however confirmed that the next edition of the Governor’s Media Chat would take place on April 30, 2025, with further details to be provided by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ferdinand Ekeoma in due course.
Otti Unveils Large-Scale Rice Farming To Boost Agriculture In Abia is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
