By Ogar Monday
The Cross River State Government has said that agriculture remains a priority of the Sen. Ben Ayade administration. The governor made the reiteration at the second dry-run of the 2022 Calabar Carnival which was held yesterday, 13th November 2022.
Governor Ben Ayade who was speaking at the flag-off revealed that the State will use the occasion of the one-month event to showcase its growth in the agro sector. He charged the bands to dig deep into their creative purse and interpret the theme of “agro-industrialization” in such a manner that will show the prominence with which the state holds the sector.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Ivara Esu, Ayade insisted that the State has gained a lot from the agricultural sector, which is why the government invested in the building of industry around the sector across the State.
“We have established over 30 industries across the State. We thank God that those industries are beginning to function especially as concessionaires have taken possession of them.
“I want to urge the carnival bands that in trying to elucidate the theme not to fail to point out the fact that agro-industrialization means that there must be various raw materials, which must come from agriculture to supply those industries.” He said.
Ayade added that the state has since moved from being a mere producer of raw materials and has invested in being a player in the value-addition chain of the sector.
“We do not want to remain as raw material producers, we want to grow a step further. We aim to leapfrog the State from a third world to a first world and I think we are doing so.”
On his part, Mr. Austin Cobham, the Executive Secretary of the Cross River State Carnival Commission said the dry-run is necessary to gauge the State’s preparedness, and to fix visible lapses, promising that all hands are on deck to ensure a smooth carnival.
Cobham added that this year’s theme is an opportunity for the State to showcase its achievements in that area.
His words: “the theme of this year’s carnival ‘agro-industrialization has brought to the understanding of people what this government has done in the area of agriculture and job provision.”
See pictures by Government House Press:
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