By Ekemini James

In the face of the unprecedented inflation that has hit Nigeria, with one of the reasons being the high exchange rate of the dollar against the naira, leading to a hike in the price of every commodity in the market, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, in his humane and empathetic disposition, has devised proactive strategies to boost food production, regulate food prices, and ensure food security for the people of the State.

These initiatives include the proposed establishment of Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency, the flagging off of Ibom Model Farm, and the distribution of farm inputs to farmers in the state through the AK-CARES Programme etc.

To help checkmate the ever-increasing food prices in the country, regulate the price of staple food items, and keep it within the reach of the people, Governor Umo Eno had concluded plan to establish a Bulk Purchase Agency. The bill for the establishment of the proposed agency, sent to the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for consideration and passage, has scaled the first reading on the floor of the Assembly.

In addition, the bill will activate the purchase of bulk commodities in the state, foster partnership between the state and market associations to check food prices, and encourage local producers to boost productivity.

Good enough, the Governor has promised that the process will be transparent, accountable, and conducted in a way that will ensure that the people get value of the initiative.

For a state with a large population and a high demand for food, the establishment of a Bulk Purchase Agency is more than an initiative. It is a strategic move that portrays the government as one that cares for the welfare and well-being of its people, courtesy of the Governor.

Remarkably, the Governor’s vision extends beyond the Agency. The groundwork laid at the 50 hectares Ibom Model Farm in Ikot Edibon, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, is a testament to his administration’s innovation.

With a fertile land and abundant natural resources in the state, the Ibom Model Farm is an integrated and organic farm that is set to revolutionize the state’s agricultural sector by incorporating crop production, animal husbandry, aquaculture, and agro-processing in order to ensure food security and also generate employment, income and empowerment opportunities for the people of the State.

In description, the farm comprises various sections, such as tomatoes, cucumber, yam, cabbage, carrot, pawpaw, pineapple, orange, lettuce, pepper, cassava, horticulture, juice processing, bakery, brooding, broiler pen, piggery pen complex, moringa, concrete fish pond, feed mill, abattoir, store, restaurant, water reservoir, two-bedroom bungalow, residence, classroom, male dormitory, female dormitory, canteen, car park, hotel, conference hall, zoo, solar panel, and administrative block.

In no distant time, this initiative will
position Akwa Ibom as a hub of agricultural innovation and excellence, especially with the Governor’s visionary strategy of recognizing the pivotal role of the younger generation in driving economic growth, which propelled him to sponsor more than 40 youths to undergo intensive training in different field of agriculture where they will gain requisite and professional knowledge and skills to become agribusiness owners.

Honestly, Governor Umo Eno’s commitment to the agricultural sector and food sufficiency is highly commendable. At its best, it is unwavering, staunch and intentional. This unalloyed commitment is evidenced through his funding and support for the AK-CARES Programme, a partnership programme with the World Bank to alleviate the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on farmers in the state.

So far, the AK-CARES farmers’ empowerment programme has continued to spread to farmers in different Local Government Areas of the State. As measures towards actualizing food sufficiency and security in the state, the Akwa Ibom State Government through the AK-CARES Programme, has distributed farm inputs to farmers.

Among the beneficiaries are members of the Afaha Famers Community Association in Ukanafun Local Government Area, who received a buck, 2 does, 1 boar and 3 sows, depending on their specialization.

During the second phase of the AK-CARES Programme, 100 cartons of day-old chicks, 600 bags of feeds, and medications were allotted to members of Nka Ima FCA in Mkpat Enin LGA to revive their businesses, enhance food production, generate income for the state, as well as help ensure food security and revitalize the agricultural sector.

All these initiatives are catalyzed by a proactive leader who has the interest of his people at heart; not intermittently, but at all times.

In his words: “I want to assure our people that we feel their pain and are working hard to ensure that food security for our people is guaranteed.

“That is why they voted for me overwhelmingly and as you know, I came from this stock and I feel their pain completely.”

Suffice to say that the proactive and empathetic measures put by Governor Umo Eno towards tacking the current state of inflation in the country will in no time help in addressing the challenges posed by the contemporary economic hardship and effect a positive impact on the lives of Akwa Ibom people.