By Sylvia Akpan, Mary Bassey
The Cross River State Executive Council, presided over by Cross River State Governor, Sen. Bassey Otu has approved the procurement of 108 units of 3-wheel agriculture tractors for equitable distribution to small-holder farmers as part of the overall strategy for job creation and food security in the State.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Bassey Otu, Mr. Gill Nsa, this was one of the ten approvals given by the Executive Council during her 3rd meeting of the year, held Wednesday, March 20, 2024.
In a similar vein, Exco also approved requests for interventions in other sectors of the economy such as roads, health, education, and energy, as well as the three draft Executive Bills presented by the Commissioner for Justice, Ededem Ani, Esq. for onward submission to the State Legislature and it includes a draft bill for the amendment of the Cross River State Security Trust Fund law, 2010, bill to provide for the mainstreaming of climate change actions, and establishment of the State Council on Climate change and related matters, as well as a Draft Executive Bill for the establishment of the Cross River State Green Economy commission and other matters related therewith.
The Commissioner of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Ebokpo, who presented the request for the procurement of the 103 agriculture tractors for use by small-holder farmers explained that the tractors will boost efforts in mechanized agriculture and that the Trytor brand of tractors, Bespoke Design Company has offered to supply the tractors at a total cost of N993, 600, 000 (Nine hundred and ninety-three million, six hundred thousand naira) only.
On delivery, the tractors will be distributed to 6 youth cooperatives of 10 members each in all the 18 local government areas to enable them to provide mechanization services to large-scale commercial agriculture.
The scheme is expected to create 1,080 direct jobs, 1,200 indirect jobs, and improved livelihood for an estimated 2,700 rural households.
Moreso, beneficiaries will have six years to repay the principal sum only with a three-month moratorium inclusive.
Other Exco approvals include: The award of contract to Messr Peninsular Construction Co. Ltd. for the upgrade and rehabilitation works of Ikom General Hospital.
Approval for the completion of the headquarters building project of the local Government service commission.
Exco also gave approvals for the award of a contract for the construction of the Ugep network of roads, intervention and restoration of KADA cinema at the Marina Resort, Calabar as one of the studios in the Cinema was recently gutted by fire.
Request for the approval of funds for the purchase of 10 numbers transformers for replacement of burnt substations across the state was also given as well as a request for approval of funds for the rehabilitation of Odukpani, Akamkpa Electrification networks in Akamkpa through direct labor also received Exco blessings.
Offer for Land development services by the Nigerian Agricultural Mechanization and Equipment Leasing Company (NAMEL) also received the approval of Exco.
Investor’s interest was also approved for the revival of the dairy farm at the Obudu Ranch Resort as well as a 3D digital survey of the Ranch Resort.
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