The Cross River State Executive Council, presided over by His Excellency the Governor, Senator Prince Bassey Edet 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.
This information is contained in a press statement signed by Mr.Nsa Gil, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor after the 3rd State Executive Councils Meeting of the year for 2024 in Calabar.
This decision preceded a request presented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo (Jnr) who called for the procurement of the 108 agricultural tractors for use by small-holder farmers to boost efforts in mechanized agriculture in the state.
He also explained that the Tricycle brand of tractors expected for the state is to be supplied by Bespoke Design Company at a total cost of N993,600,000 (Nine hundred and ninety-three million, six hundred thousand nairas) only and will be distributed to six youths Co-operatives of 10 members each in all the 18 Local Government Areas to enable them to provide mechanization services to large scale commercial agriculture.
He further narrated that the scheme is expected to create 1,080 direct jobs, 1,200 indirect jobs, and improved livelihood for an estimated 2,700 rural households.
More so, beneficiaries will have six years to repay the principal sum only with a three-month moratorium inclusive.
The statement added that the Exco also awarded a contract to Messr Peninsular Construction Co. Ltd. for the upgrade and rehabilitation works of Ikom General Hospital, the completion of the Headquarters building project at the Local Government Service Commission, Calabar.
They also gave approvals for the award of a contract for the construction of the Ugep network of roads, intervention, and restoration of the KADA cinema at the Marina Resort, Calabar as one of the studios in the Cinema was recently gutted by fire.
A request for the approval of funds for the purchase of 10 numbers transformers for the 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 blessings.
Similarly, the also considered a request for Land development services by the Nigerian Agricultural Mechanization and Equipment Leasing Company (NAMEL) and for the Investorโs interest, the revival of the dairy farm at the Obudu Ranch Resort as well as a 3D digital survey of the Ranch Resort was considered.
In the same vein, they 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.
This includes; a Draft bill for the Amendment of the Cross River State Security Trust Fund law 2010; A bill for the mainstreaming of Climate Change Actions and the Need to Establish the state Council On Climate Change and related matters; A draft executive bill for Establishment of Cross River State Green Economy Commission.
