By Jonathan Ugbal
The Federal Governments Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme (AADS) may help in easing the headache Governor Ben Ayade currently faces in appointing party men who worked for his re-election.
Mr. Ayade had met with the former polling units agents, ward chairmen, and other party men across the 18 local government areas shortly after he was sworn in for a second term and promised to appoint lots of them from each polling unit, in contrast to his position that he will run a leaner government.
The state has over 2,400 polling units. And, despite appointing about 2,000 persons within a space of eight months, the Governor may just turn to the AADS to ease that headache.
The AADS is an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria unveiled in June 2020 to create job opportunities and ensure the country’s food security.
And, Michael Abuo, the facilitator of the scheme in the state says those yet to be appointed will be included in the scheme.
“This is to inform all former ward chairmen and polling unit agents who are yet to be appointed and those who submitted their details for the job carnival and are yet to be contacted that His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade, the Executive Governor of Cross River State has approved for their automatic inclusion into the Accelerated Agricultural Development Scheme,” read a statement Mr. Abuo issued on Sunday.
“In addition further selection will be made across the state irrespective of political affiliation and beneficiaries will be sorted from across the political wards of the state’l the statement added.
The CBN says 370,000 Nigerian youths across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory are targeted to benefit in the said scheme. And, Mr. Abuo who said “Cross River State has approximately 10,000 slots and will commence the initiative in batches with a reserved percentage for non indigenes resident in the state,” added that, the Governor is, “wholeheartedly committed to deepen the spirit of enterprise in Cross River State and revolutionize our state’s agricultural potentials.
The process will commence simultaneously across the 196 wards on the 5th of September, 2020. All stakeholders will be appropriately notified and carried along in the implementation of the said scheme.”
18 local government area (LGA) and two non indigene coordinators have since been appointed. They are as follows:
1. Ms Martina Oguma – 07030463035 Etung LGA
2. Hon Nkoyo Etim-Calabar Municipality LGA 07068613557
3. Mr Justin Ukpanukpong Ala – 09013580966. Obudu LGA
4. Ms Marie Ekpenyong Essessien – 07062535515 Calabar South LGA
5. Ms Regina Edere Sani – 08023836161 Ikom LGA
6. Ms Ntiero Blessing – Akpabuyo LGA – 08021194909
7. Mr Joseph Akan Obi – Boki LGA 08037550140
8. Com Elvis Eyam – Akamkpa LGA 08131249969
9. Pastor Ikpete Ndima Etta – Abi LGA 08136951892
10. Rev Bang Ojong, Obubra LGA 08035886606
11. Com Jack Daniel – Odukpani LGA 08037165529
12. Mr Emmanuel Lawson – Obanliku LGA 07035618821
13. Mr Hubert Obi – Ogoja LGA 07063470240
14. Mr Groovydee Odama – Bekwara LGA 08062550099
15. Mr Mitre Iferi Eyong – Yakurr LGA 08038240549
16. Mr Effiong Okon Bassey – Bakassi LGA 08076543563 08035664306
17. Mr William Ilem – Biase LGA 08037370055
18. Mr Sunny Eje – Yala LGA 07031253856
19. Alhaji Nasiru Gombe – Non Indigenes 08037091014
20. Mr Emmanuel Ezeribe – Non Indigenes 08067880104
Abuo, who also serves as the Director General of the Migration Control Services averred that; “all enquiries should be sent as text to the above numbers. Please do not call them over this scheme. The form to be distributed is free but an agreed amount will be paid by all participating beneficiaries for the set up of database and registration of cooperatives by clusters.”