Rice Framers Association of Nigeria, (RIFAN), Akwa Ibom Chapter has appealed to Governor Udom Emmanuel to release the ten percent counterpart fund to facilitate the return of contractors and equipment to the sites so as to advance the progress of work on the rice farm project ongoing in Ini, Ibiono Ibom, Abak, Uruan, Ikot Abasi, Onna, Mkpat Ennin and many other local government areas in the state.
The state Chairman of the Association, Prof. Etim Ituen made the call when journalists visited the rice farm in Uruan, Ibiono Ibom, and Ini local government areas recently.
The project which involves the acquisition and clearing of more than 25,000 hectares of land in many local government areas of the state for rice cultivation, is an initiative of Governor Udom Emmanuel that stem from the Anchor Borrower’s programme of the Muhammadu Buhari led federal government.
He said that the lack of counterpart funding from the State government has led to the stoppage of work on all the rice farms sites across the State.
Speaking on behalf of the members, the chairman expressed gratitude to the governor for the visionary stride in the agricultural sector with the aim to becoming a leading rice producing State in the federation, maintaining that the initiative has provided a timely succor to food insufficiency to the communities while providing employment opportunities to the teaming unemployed youth.
Prof. Etim strongly declared the association’s unalloyed support for Governor Emmauel’s second term aspiration with an assurance of more than 20,000 votes come 2019 general elections.
The youth leader of Ishiet Ekim, Uruan LGA, Etubom Asuquo Effiong Okon, on behalf of the youth, praised the governor for siting the project in these areas, stating that the project has improved the condition of the youth and enabled them take care of their needs and stay off acts inimical to social growth and development. This, according to him, is the first time government has included youth in this kind of project and promised the support of all the youth to the second term bid of Governor Emmanuel.
By Akanimo Attang/Manti Ikpeme
