- …the action of the governor was to mitigate the high level of hunger, food unavailability
The Akwa Ibom State Government has supplemented the Federal Government’s donation of 24,000 bags of rice by providing an additional 24,000 bags of 25kg rice to reach more families in need.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor, made this announcement during a press briefing at the NIJ Secretariat in Uyo on Friday.
Dr. Offor highlighted the governor’s proactive approach in addressing the severe hunger, food shortages, and poverty affecting the state.
According to her, the action of the governor was to mitigate the high level of hunger, food unavailability and poverty.
“Instead of engaging in blame games, Governor Umo Eno has called for creative thinking on how to lift people out of poverty and promote developmental endeavors,” Dr. Offor stated.
She explained that each of the 2,272 gazetted villages in the state will receive 20 bags of rice.
Additionally, over 100,000 families listed in the social register have either received or will soon receive free food items through the state government’s Bulk Purchase Agency.
“The distribution of the Federal and State Governments’ food intervention will occur at Local Government Council Headquarters.
“From where Council Chairmen will ensure the safe transportation of the 20 bags to each gazetted village. Distribution dates will be announced soon.”
“We are facing a significant issue of hunger caused by food insufficiency, unavailability, and inflation. This intervention aims to reduce extreme hunger and poverty in line with Sustainable Development Goal 1. A hungry populace can lead to unrest, making food availability, affordability, and security a priority for this administration.”
Dr. Offor also emphasized the administration’s long-term solution to hunger and food insecurity through the Back to Farm Initiative, which promotes local food production.
She noted that the first and third Fridays of the month have been designated as work-free farming days.
“The Ministry of Agriculture has implemented several strategic interventions, including distributing cassava cuttings, maize grains, pepper seedlings, and coconut seedlings to 135 public primary and secondary schools.”
“We have distributed 150,000 cocoa seedlings to cocoa farmers, 40,000 oil palm seedlings to oil palm farmers, 80,000 pepper seedlings to vegetable farmers, 20 metric tonnes of rice to rice farmers across the state, and livestock and poultry supplies to poultry farmers. We have also provided livelihood grants of N150,000 to 1,560 beneficiaries and agricultural inputs and services to 900 farmers under the AKCARES Scheme.”
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