The Deputy Governor of Abia State, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu says, revitalization of Cocoa production will serve as an integral part of revenue and job creation in the state.
Chief Emetu stated this during a meeting with members of Cocoa Transformation Committee in his office to discuss issues on Cocoa propagation and commercialization.
The Deputy Governor noted that Agbaozu Cocoa Estate in Bende LGA, which was recovered from an investor by the present administration, will be propagated for optimal production through the provision of logistics including; accessible data, roads, mobility, accommodation, mapping, provision of high breed seedlings among others.
Chief Emetu also harped on the need to protect Cocoa farmers in the state, through price regulation of Cocoa produce and adequate security in order to eliminate smuggling of Cocoa seeds to neighbouring states.
The Deputy Governor also called on all stake holders in Cocoa business in the state to be responsible and pay their taxes to enable government provide an enabling environment for ease of doing business.
Emetu ,speaking further described the government of Abia State, ably led by Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, as very intentional in what they do, and will never be moved or distracted by naysayers. He assured that logistics for the recovered Agbaozu Cocoa Farm Estate in Bende LGA, including mobility, grading of the farm road for easy accessibility, renovation/construction of farm buildings, provision of portable water and solar lights, mapping/survey of the farm estate and introduction of hybrid nursery seedlings will be given speedy attention.
He guaranteed the Abia cocoa farmers of zero exploitation as they will reap abundantly from the labour they have put in.
In his speech, the State Chairman, Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Mr. John K. Kalu, called for the clearing of the Agbaozu Cocoa Estate for proper assessment of the Cocoa trees there and to preserve good Cocoa plant species from going extinct as well as mapping out all private Cocoa plantations in government reserved areas to know how to accommodate them properly.
Also speaking,the Honourable Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Hon. Kingsley Nwokocha advised the leadership of cocoa farmers in the state to articulate areas of concern for government attention and support.
The meeting had in attendance, members of the Abia State Cocoa Transformation Committee, including the Head of Station, Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) Abia State, Dr. Olaniyi O., Abia State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Mba Aloysius Chibuzor, Directors in the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, as well as representatives of the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of agriculture, Abia State.
