₦airaland Forum

GOV UMAHI'S AGRICULTURAL ACHIEVEMENTS AS ENUMERATED BY THE HON COMMISSIONER FOR AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES HON BARR ORJI UCHENNA ORJI


IN August, 2015, the Executive Governor of Ebonyi State, His Excellence, Engr, Chief David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE convoked a colloquium on Agriculture to determine areas the state has comparative advantage and collate the opinions of stakeholders regarding the three pronged policy thrust of the government on Agriculture, viz:-Mechanization of agriculture, Commercialization of agriculture and professionalization of agriculture; which translated into one-man, one-hectare programme of the state Government.


ACHIEVEMENTS
1. Brand new Agricultural Revolution policy already drafted for consideration by the Executive Council.

2. Draft Compendium of Ebonyi State Rice Revolution Strategy, 2017.

3. RICE PRODUCTION
purchased and distributed to farmers, the following equipment in 2016;

a. 5 Nos. Power Tillers

b. 31 Nos. Rice threshers

c. 1 No. Rice Reaper released to farmer cooperative at Uburu.

d. Distributed 2,275 units of various machineries to 13 LGAs for rice production.

e. Procured 39 motorcycles purchased and distributed to 39 ADP Extension Agents.

f. Procurement of 3 brand new Toyota Hilux Van, (One for each Zone) for the State Rice Committee for monitoring of the Rice Programme of the state.

g. Carried out soil testing and analysis of the secured rice farms in the 13 LGA's.


TERTIARY PRODUCTION/PROCESSING
1. UNIDO Rice Mill rehabilitated and handed over to private millers at encouraging price on a staggered payment arrangement.

2. Procured 3units of 3 MT/H additional Rice mills to be delivered and installed in selected Local Government Areas in each of the zone.

3. Procured additional 4 nos. 2T/H Rice parboiling plants.

4. Installation of 80T/Day parboiling plant at the existing 3 Modern Rice Mills at 80% completion.

5. The three (3) existing modern Mega Rice Mills are now optimally operating due to availability of paddy rice (Raw material). This is the dividend of the rice production revolution.

6. Procured 2 Nos. false bottoms parboiling plant and distributed to rice processors for demonstration.


DRY SEASON RICE FARMING
1. About 75 farmers profiled for dry season rice farming across the state.

2. 93.4 hectares developed across the state for rice cultivation with the help of the newly procured Bulldozers.

3. Ploughed and harrowed a total of 65 hectares of farmland at Uburu, Ezzamgbo, Amaegu-enyin, Amokwe Ishiagu for dry season rice farming for 2016/2017.

4. Installed 2 Nos Solar Energy (power) pumps at Uburu and Amaegu-enyim for dry season farming with 1320M reticulation to irrigate the farming.

5. Procured 9 Nos water pumps to irrigate the farm for dry season rice farming.

6. The dry season rice farming (pilot scheme) at the designated location are in progress.

3. CASSAVA PRODUCTION:
i. Procured and distributed 150 metric tons of best varieties of cassava cuttings (TMS 305572 or Vitamin A for flour production and TMS 305506 for starch production) to the profiled farmers in the 13 L.G.A' s, under the one-man, one-hectare program in 2016.

ii. Cultivation of about 100 hectares of land at Oshiri Cattle Ranch and planting up with Vitamin A cassava.

iii. Also over 26 ha in the integrated poultry farm Nkaliki and CAS farmlands has been planted up with improved cassava cuttings sourced from IITA (International institute for Tropical Agriculture Ibadan).


CASSAVA PROCESSING (TERTIARY PRODUCTION)
Three (3) Nos. 5 MT/day flour milling plant and one (1) No. 5 MT/day cassava starch plant has been procured to create market and enhance value chain approach of the government. This will be installed in each senatorial zone viz: Ishielu, Ohaukwu, Ohaozara and Onicha LGAs.


4. OIL PALM PLANTATION DEVELOPMENT:
i. Oil palm Nursery Complex at Ezzamgbo that was in comatose was revitalized.

ii. Procured and planted 127,500 sprouted nuts from NIFOR (Nigerian Institute for Oil
Palm Research) Ibadan and shall be matured by June/July 2017 for transplanting.

iii. It is expected that development and establishment of oil palm seedlings shall be biannual to enable the state to be enlisted as Oil Palm Producing State.


5. LIVESTOCK DEVELOPMENT.
i. Clamp down on the scourge of Avian Influenza in parts of Ebonyi State.

ii. Action on the spread of rabies in the State through mass vaccination of dogs against rabies.

iii. Feasibility study/survey/status and expansion needs of the Integrated poultry farm Nkaliki have been comprehensively articulated by TABAR group Israel.

iv. Arrangements are on to reactivate and expand the farm for optimal returns.

v. 100 farmers in each of the 13 L.G.A have been profiled for poultry and fish farming in 2017

vi. 2,600 farmers have been aggregated into co-operatives to serve as out growers for broilers and fishes.


6. FARM MACHINERY/EQUIPMENT:
i. Purchased 40 nos. John Deere tractors with the same number of harrows, ploughs,ridges and the trailer bucket; capacity of 65hp and 75hp with 2wd and 2wd.

ii. 31 no gigantic threshers and 5 no power tillers of 1mt/h and 7.5hp respectively in addition to the distribution of over 2000 planters, threshers, power tillers, transplanters ATC at the domain of the Local Government Areas, all given to farmers who own and serve serve as serving providers.


TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING:
The State government trained the extension agents in the state who in turn retained the farmers on the best agronomic practices in rice production.

Government procured 39 No brand new Motorcycle and GPS for mobility and measurement of farm lands in the state.

Government engaged the faculty of Agriculture of Ebonyi state University to Conduct land verification survey and analysis of rice farms secured by the Council Chairman. Report to be submitted soonest.

State Government trained over 11,000 farmers profiled and validated under the CBN Anchor Borrower's Scheme.


TIES WITH DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS - PARASTATALS

A. IFAD-VCDP

1. State Government counterpart funding duly paid.

2. IFAD Local Government of choice increased from 3 to 5.


3. Supported 6,424 farmers in 5 LGAs with input for the 2016 rice farming season.


4. Developed 200 hectares of land at Ezillo for rice cultivation.


5. Design of irrigation scheme for the 200 hectares at Ezillo farm is ongoing.


6. Construction of 200km rural access roads at Izzi, Ikwo and Afikpo South nearing competition.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU SIR.
FOR 'A 10 YEARS ACHIEVEMENT' YOU MADE POSSIBLE IN JUST 2 YEARS.

#PRAMATIKGOV
#TALK&DOGOV
#WORKAHOLIC
#GODFEARING

By Orlando Nweze

NwaAmaikpe:

I hate Ebonyi state.
They are the weak-link in the South East chain.

I don't think is necessary to respond to your ignoramus post.

Ebonyi indigenes commend their governor:


Ebonyi State people across Nigeria have taken the ocassion of the 2017 democracy day celebration to heap praises on the current governor of the state, HE Dave Umahi for making them feel the impact of civil rule and equitable distribution of the dividends of democracy throughout the nooks and crannies of the state.


A cross section of indigenes of Ebonyi State, speaking on phone and face to face wondered what Ebonyi State would have been had the former governors performed even half as well as the current governor.

Nweke Okorie, a dealer in electronics in Lagos who claims to be from the same place with the immediate past governor, commended Gov Umahi "for transforming Abakaliki the state capital into a modern city that citizens can be proud of. I wonder what our state would have looked like, if those before him made similar efforts," he said.

Uju, an Abuja based hair stylist, in a phone conversation emphasized that dividends of democracy have never been so evenly distributed in Ebonyi State since 1999. "I am regularly in touch with home. I have visited twice this year alone and must express my joy at the level of infrastructural transformation that Ebonyi State has witnessed in the 24 months of Gov Umahi's administration.

All the local governments have been well impacted," she said. Several other people had similar things to say, with many expressing willingness to go home (Ebonyi State) to register in readiness to cast their votes in the 2019 general elections.

#Kenneth Eze

Ebonyi State on the rise

THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNOR, EBONYI STATE.

Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE
Akubaraoha & Omenauko Aku 1 of Igbo Ukwu Land.

Dear Sir,

CONCERN FOR GOOD GOVERNANCE USING OUR GOVERNOR (CHIEF ENGR. UMAHI) AS A CASE STUDY.
HAPPY DEMOCRACY DAY CELEBRATION.

Firstly, I wish to say a big congratulations to you (Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE) for a very successful two (2) years in office as not only the Governor of Ebonyi State, but also as the most substantive Governor among all the Governors in the whole 36 states of Nigeria.

With great humility and privilege, I herein use this period as we celebrate the Nigeria democracy day to share/applaud my utmost concern for good governance using your performance as our dear Governor … Chief Umahi as a case study.

As a concerned citizen of Ebonyi State, I feel immensely delighted to see good governance in action in all part of the state, which spontaneously geared me to conclude that our Governor, Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE is an exceptional and excellent example of a good leader.

As we celebrate the democracy day, marking our Governor’s two (2) years in office, it is worthy to highlight the areas that qualifies the good governance of our amiable Governor.

HARMANIOUS RELATIONSHIP WITH ALL ARMS AND ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT: It is very important to note that you” Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE government has shown very high good working relationships with all arms & organs of government which includes but not limited to all executives, legislators, judiciaries and all other parastatals operating/supporting your administration, just recently, the Nigeria Police Force awarded you (Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE), the best police-friendly governor, while other state are always having one rancor or the other with their Nigeria Police. Till date since your administration, no part have had a crackdown or any form mishandling, rather, all part of your administration has been lively from inception to date… a rare thing to reckon in most government administration, hence I say kudos to the Good Governance of my dear Governor Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE.

EMPOWERMENT & JOB CREATION: H/E, records has shown that your empowerment and job creation performance is second to none within the 36 states of Nigeria. Your concern to create jobs and empower the citizens of the state is indeed an applaud towards your good governance. You created over 300 positions at once ranging from PA, SA, etc and had used the positions to empower many indigenes and also as a way of bringing them closer to government to contribute in the day to day governance of the state. The so many infrastructural development cutting across all the local government of the state has also contributed greatly to the empowerment & Job scheme in the state which could have engaged over 5000 youths. Of late, you decided to shortlist three (3) young engineers for onward practical professional training, a scheme that is geared towards making sure that our dear state produces high quality resource engineers for future infrastructural development, courtesy of your good governance.

INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT: When I look at the high level of infrastructural development in the state, cutting across the whole 13 LGA’s of the state, one would be thinking of the reality of the word MAGIC as the level of infrastructural transformation in the state looks indeed magical. Anyone who has not been to our state since the past 2 years will on coming to the state now think that he/she is in paradise. You have practically transformed the state, building three (3) standard flyovers and all the whole road networks in the state capital plus other structures including the renovation of the Government House, all these are done within your two (2) years in office. Worthy to note that you did not only concentrated in Abakaliki, but rather you have scattered the developmental projects across the 13 LGA’s of the state. A case in hand is the multiple road networks that you are currently doing in my LGA, Afikpo North. His Excellency, your good governance in the area of infrastructural development cannot be overemphasised.

SECURITY & PEACE ACCORD/RESTORATION: In all honesty, security and peace is the bedrock of any progressive society, that is why I am not surprised that your administration has been appraised to be the most peaceful and security conscious administration. You have demonstrated a lot of goodwill towards the security operatives and equally sustained community peace accord, your security performance and consciousness has earned you the recent award as the best police-friendly governor. This is characterized by your good governance approach.

OPEN COMMUNICATION: This is one area I personally bow specially among your numerous good attributes. Your style of being open to communicate with all persons regardless of class or relationship is worthy of emulation and that have made your government a government of the people indeed. Considering the fact that information are not restricted or in any form being withheld for few, rather you always prefer to communicate publicly to the masses following the facts that a well-informed people performs moderately better than a non-informed. Because of your open communication style, your governance is again considered as good governance and government of the people by the people which the simple meaning of democracy.

COMMITMENT DRIVE: Though, lastly among my shortlisted area of touch in the good governance of our dear Governor Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE, but surely not the least. The areas of your good governance is as vast as government itself. Taking a look at your commitment drive, one can liken your commitment attribute to the experience some of us had while working for private companies especially the Oil & Gas sector, where a Project Director is working almost day and night to see that his PROJECTS are all delivered within COST, TIME & QUALITY/HSE. On several occasions I joined you for an inspection as Governor, I observed with keen interest the kind of COMMITMENT that you showed towards the effective delivery of the projects, one would think that you are working under any other person’s appraisal, but then I realized that your commitment towards good governance is all round and inbuilt in you. You once told me that your appraisal comes by giving people the best, hence your commitment to good governance. You are simply a self-motivated Governor. I thank you for all I learnt from you while on those inspection, I really wish I can open my heart for you to see how I adore your personal qualities and your good governance.

His Excellency, following the above narrative areas of your good governance to our dear state, I hereby simply declare you as the “GOVERNOR WE DESIRE””
I, Chief Ukie Ezeali – P. Noble Desires Your Governance
Afikpo North LGA Desires Your Governance
The Entire Good People of Ebonyi State Desires Your Governance
In a nut shell, Chief Engr. David Nweze Umahi FNSE, FNATE is the anointed Leader and an epitome of good Governance, hence I join the entire good people of Ebonyi State to unconditionally reassure you that your second term bid is NOT negotiable, we are happy to enjoy your good governance for the next 6 years and thereafter be glad to see your assumption to Federal level come 2023.

I cannot conclude this write up without extending my special regards to Her Excellency Rachel Umahi, Echara Ugo Nwanyi mara Obi Diya. Like the saying, behind every successful man is a woman of substance. You are indeed a woman of substance to our Excellent Governor, may GOD continue to bless you and your husband with multiple strength and good health in JESUS name. Amen.

Yours Truly,

Chief Ukie Ezeali – P. Noble
Omereoha Nwachinemere 1
Dike Di Oha Nma & Eku rue Ulo 1 of Afikpo.

Ebonyi State Democracy Day Celebration:
More pictures.
Photo Credit: Barr. Roy OU Nweze

Ebonyi State Democracy Day Celebration:
More pictures.

PhotoNews:

 
1. Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State (6th right); his  wife, Rachel (5th right); Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe (7th right) and wife, Nnenna (4th Right); Speaker, Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Francis Nwifuru (2nd Right) and wife, Uzoamaka (right); former Senator Sam Egwu (7th right)  and other dignitaries cutting a cake to mark the 2017 Democracy Day and Governor Umahi's second year in office at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, Abakaliki on Monday.



2. Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State (3rd left); Deputy Governor Kelechi Igwe (2nd left); Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Onyekachi Nwaebonyi(left); National Vice-Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party(South-East); and Deputy Speaker Obasi Odefa Obasi with  some of the newly inaugurated chairmen of Local Government Areas in the state at the Abakaliki Township Stadium, Abakaliki on Monday.

To God be the glory:

Ebonyians celebrates 2 years of unprecedented transformation.

Governor. Umahi has really made Ebonyians proud.