By Kebesobase

The Government of Cross River State has called on the Federal Government to do something in earnest to rescue the state from losing billions of naira it invested on rice seedlings production.

You would recall that the Federal Government under the auspices of Central Bank of Nigeria CBN, and RIFAN, had earlier on, ordered for the supply of rice seedlings from the Cross River Rice Seedling Production Company.

Following this order, the government swung into action by committing huge resources worth billions of naira into it, in order to deliver according to timelines and specifications.

As it stands, the seedlings are ready for delivery, but the process is halted as a result of the current lockdown in the country, due to Coronavirus pandemic.

It is important to note that this rice seedlings upon production, has a very low survival rate on the surface, and it will amount to waste if not transplanted.

On this premise, the Gov. Sir. Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade, call on the Federal Government to rescue the state from another imminent lose, having been battling with dwindling economy occasioned by the seizure of their 76 oil Wells, which were ceded to Akwa Ibom State; a development that prompted the state to keying into the agricultural policy thrust of President Muhammadu Buhari, as a way of diversifying her economy.

Ayade made the call while inspecting the massive rice seedlings in the Ayade Industrial Park recently in Calabar.

In his words "I understand the times we are now, but Federal government should not allow this investment to go down the drain".

You can follow the link below to watch as Ayade laments with a weeping tone...


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