Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has expressed the readiness to collaborate with the Ohuhu Development Foundation to revive the Ulonna Farm Settlement for the betterment of Abians.
To follow up with that, the Governor has directed the Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Ikechi Mgbeoji to immediately commence discussions with the Ohuhu Development Foundation and relevant bodies with a view to producing a workable plan for the take off of the project.
Governor Ikpeazu was speaking in a meeting with prospective investors of the Ulonna Farm Settlement led by an Elder Statesman, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu and representatives of Ohuhu Development Foundation.
According to him, reviving the Farm Settlement will create job opportunities for youths in the State as well as ensure food security and needed raw materials for local use and for export.
He disclosed that containers of machines from India for the take off of the initial cottage industries for the seven pilot Local Governments have arrived the state.
The Governor who noted that the Late Dr Michael Okpara left behind indelible footprints in the Agricultural Sector, promised not to let his efforts be in vain even as his administration has been able to take bold steps in the agricultural sector especially in the area of rice and palm oil production.
Dr Ikpeazu said there was need for the setting up of a platform to add value to Agriculture, adding that the dream to create an agro cluster in Umuahia for agro value remains alive.
Earlier, the Leader of the delegation and former Chairman of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu said they were concerned about the state of Ulonna Farm Settlement which has not been put into good use over the years.
He disclosed that the Ohuhu Development Foundation was interested in promoting the rapid development in Ohuhu land, hence their resolve to seek the Governor’s approval to develop a programme for reviving the farm settlement for the benefit of Abians.
Presenting their proposal to the Governor, a member of the foundation, Chief Enyinnaya Onokala said they intended to develop Ulonna Farm settlement to a modern Agricultural Business producing competitive cash crops with value addition for the major domestic and export market.
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