National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Paulinus Nta, A’IBOM |
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has launched a massive rice distribution programme targeting the 2,272 gazetted villages across the state’s ten Federal Constituencies.
This initiative is part of the Governor’s efforts to alleviate the effects of the fuel subsidy removal on residents.
At the start of the distribution process on Friday, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Offiong Offor, noted that Governor Eno had doubled the initial 24,000 bags of rice received from the Federal Government to 48,000 bags, showcasing his compassionate disposition.
Dr. Offor assured that the distribution process would be transparent, with local government chairmen utilising village heads, village councils, and stakeholders to ensure the palliatives reach everyone without hindrances.
The beneficiaries will include not only villagers but also persons living with disabilities and special groups, regardless of their status.
Offor expressed gratitude to Governor Eno for his kind gestures towards Akwa Ibom residents.
She noted that the distribution process would be completed in record time, as instructed by the Governor, and encouraged continued support for his administration.
It should be noted that Governor Eno had previously donated five billion naira to complement Federal Government palliatives, aiming to mitigate the economic challenges citizens faced due to last year’s fuel subsidy removal.
Additionally, he established the Bulk Purchase Agency, providing free food items to the neediest across the state.
Eno has also paid over twenty billion naira in gratuities to retired state civil servants, primary and local government workers.
Furthermore, he introduced a 13th-month salary for workers at the end of last year and provided an additional 20,000 naira to each civil servant in the state, reflecting his worker-friendly disposition.
However, despite the commendations for these projects, the Governor’s decision to import rice for the state has been criticised by local rice farmers.
Mr. Emmanuel Usua, a rice farmer and immediate past Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Akwa Ibom State Branch, described the initiative as counterproductive to rice farming in the state.
“Akwa Ibom State has vast arable land and many farmers willing and able to produce rice.
“By importing rice, the government is not only hurting our businesses but also discouraging local production and food self-sufficiency, contradicting its ARISE Agenda,” Mr. Usua stated.
The state government, through Dr. Offor, praised Governor Eno for doubling the 24,000 bags of rice sent by the Federal Government to 48,000 bags.
However, critics argue that the government’s approach is short-sighted, neglecting the long-term benefits of supporting local agriculture.
“Importing rice may seem like a quick fix, but it does not address the underlying issues in our agricultural sector,” said Mr. Usua.
Experts emphasised that, given the skyrocketing food prices, it is crucial to rein in inflation in Akwa Ibom State.
Other farmers affected by the importation are calling on the government to provide more support for rice cultivation to mitigate the devastating effects of inflation on food prices.
They stressed that rice is a staple food for over 80% of Nigerians, and its prices significantly impact the country’s inflation rate.
The farmers argue that rice is a critical crop in Nigeria, with direct implications for food security and inflation.
They therefore urge Governor Eno to allocate adequate funding to rice farming in Ibiono Ibom, Ikono, and Ini local governments, where rice can be cultivated to boost production and stabilise prices, rather than offering cups of rice to the hungry.
