By JAE Media
A delegation of the State Leadership of heads of all support groups of the rulling All Progressive Congress, (APC), Cross River State Chapter, under the aegis of Amalgamated APC Support Groups of Nigeria, paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo in Calabar.
The State Chapter of the Amalgamated Group, ably led by its Coordinator, Dr. Edem Ebong, congratulated the Commissioner on his well-deserved appointment and described him as a round peg in a round hole, who will bring his experience to bear in the Agriculture sector.
Dr. Edem explained that the apex leadership of all APC Support groups have come to familiarize and identify with the Agric. Boss as well as the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, given that the MDA is one of the key sectors in the present administration, especially with Governor Bassey Otu’s commitment to fighting food insecurity in the state through adequate harmonization and utilization of the different agro-value chains.
The State Coordinator disclosed that after the excellent performances and effort put forth by different support groups across the State to ensure landslide victory of His Excellency, Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu at the polls, it’s also necessary to carry out ‘POST-SUPPORT’ strategies to assist the administration succeed in its policies and agenda by fashioning out key and professional recommendations to the Government on major sectors of the state economy for the overall success of the administration they all worked so hard to install.
Edem, who added that the groups are made up of experts from all sectors across board urged the state government to leverage on their expertise to empower women and youths in the group through agricultural value-chain development schemes in the State.
The recommendations were contained in a proposal jointly signed by a Five-man committee set up by the leadership of the group and chaired by Prof. John .O. Shiyam JP, a renowned Agronomist who articulated the content of the proposal as well as the group prayers to the Commissioner.
A copy of the Proposal was handed over to the Commissioner for further review and necessary actions.
In his response, The Agriculture and Irrigation Development Commissioner, Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo described the visit as timely and appropriate, while thanking the group for deeming it necessary to reach out to his Ministry.
He asserted that the strength, role and place of support groups in the polity cannot be under estimated, adding that the disposition of His Excellency Senator Bassey Edet Otu towards support groups across the state is broad and people-oriented.
He stated that the groups’ effort and sacrifices during campaigns and electioneering are greatly acknowledged by His Excellency, Governor Bassey Edet Otu, disclosing that conscious efforts are being made to give succor to all support groups across the state as soon as possible.
Commenting on their proposal, Hon. Ebokpo intimated that the recommendations align with the plethora of Agricultural programmes to be unveiled by his ministry and support from the group would be welcomed.
In a vote of thanks, the group’s Secretary, Mr Collins Okpa, appreciated Hon. Ebokpo for the warm reception accorded them and pledged the group’s continuous support to the Prince Otu led administration.
High point of the visit was the presentation of a portrait to the Commissioner by the State Coordinator.
