The Abia State Government has vowed to accord Abia State cocoa farmers the enabling environment to improve cocoa production in the state.
Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu who doubles as the Chairman, Abia State Cocoa Transformation Committee stated this in his office at the Government House, Umuahia during the committee’s meeting.
He highlighted that the state government will play an intermediary role to ease the suffering of cocoa farmers by making the grading price of the produce at par with other cocoa producing states in Nigeria.
This he said, will help checkmate smuggling of the produce to neighbouring states thereby shortchanging Abia cocoa status in the country.
Engr. Emetu warned that henceforth, anyone caught smuggling cocoa out of the state will have the produce seized and the conveying vehicle impounded.
He urged all stakeholders in the cocoa business to always show a sense of responsibility by paying their taxes appropriately as the government is poised to provide a conducive environment for their business to thrive exceedingly.
Emetu described the government of Abia State, ably led by Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, as very intentional in what they do, and will never be moved or distracted by naysayers. He assured that logistics for the recovered Agbaozu Cocoa Farm Estate in Bende LGA, including mobility, grading of the farm road for easy accessibility, renovation/construction of farm buildings, provision of portable water and solar lights, mapping/survey of the farm estate and introduction of hybrid nursery seedlings will be given speedy attention.
He guaranteed the Abia cocoa farmers of zero exploitation as they will reap abundantly from the labour they have put in.
In his remark, the Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Hon. Kingsley Nwokocha advised the leadership of cocoa farmers in the state to articulate areas of concern for government attention and support.
Speaking earlier, the Chairmen of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) and Cocoa Association of Nigeria (CAN), Sir John Kalu and Mazi J.C. Uche, respectively, thanked the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, for his continuous support to cocoa farmers in the state and prayed for assistance in terms of farm inputs like herbicides and improved seedlings.
Abia Govt To Help Farmers Boost Cocoa Production is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
