Iloke, Egbe
The Commissioner Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo has reiterated the need for Cross Riverians to protect their environment from harmful practices especially the areas use for economic or farming activities as lives and good health depend so much on the environment.
The Commissioner affirmed this during the distribution of Aquaculture kits and energy efficient cooking stoves to beneficiaries at the Calabar Municipal Council Secretariat Complex, Calabar. He informed that there are reasons for the support which includes to enable the communities restore the Mangrove and nature based livelihood to minimize pressure on the Mangroves ecosystem while advising the beneficiaries not to sale the items given to them.
According to the Commissioner, the waste product from the energy efficient cooking stoves has over 100% economic and commercial value and is also in high demand, adding that, Cross River State is among the few areas with Mangrove ecology.
He used the occasion to called on Cross Riverians to support and pray for the administration of His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu as he mean well for the State while commending Food and Agriculture Organization FAO for their consistency in supporting the State development.
Earlier the FAO team lead Nifesimi Ogunkua gave the project overview by chronicling the journey so far from 2023 stating that Cross River State is blessed with large forest full of diversities that is also well utilize but what is required or lacking is putting the forest in to sustainable used hence the interventions in training and the provisions of essential support to farming communities within the Mangrove forest zone.
She said there is going to be a follow up on how the items are put to use and manage while assuring that if the materials are put to effective use more support will come through and will reach more people.
She informed that 25 communities had been supported with fish processing oven, while 50 communities will benefit the efficient cooking stoves, adding that, a Mangrove restoration demonstration centre has been established with progress reports indicating positive development.
Adding his voice, the Mayor of Calabar Municipal Apostle RT. Hon. James Anam represented by the Council secretary, Comr. Iso Bassey Edim called on the beneficiaries not to sale the products and equipments given to them stating that Nigeria was known as the giant of Africa through agriculture not population and appreciated FAO for their concern and support to the farming communities.
Speaking on the significance of the support given to the State by international bodies through FAO, the chairman of the State Forestry Commission, Rt. Hon. George O'ben-Etchi acknowledged that there is hunger in the land hence the efforts of Government to create environments for partners to operate mutually and to bring relief to majority that are in need. He appeared to beneficiaries not to see the materials given to them as government thing but to put them in good use.
Highlights of the event was presentation of fish feed and energy efficient cooking stoves to beneficiaries by Government officials and stakeholders.
In attendance was the Commissioner Ministry of International Donor Coordination Elder Hippolatus O. Lukpata represented by the Permanent Secretary Barr. Anthony Effiom and the Director of Administration Mrs Ekaete Okon, Directors and heads of Departments, farmers and women groups and executives of Calabar Municipal,
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