₦airaland Forum

Senior Citizens Center. First of its kind in this part of the country.

I am impressed with the plans for agricultural and industrial growth and development. My prayer is that may all Ihedioha's administration good and right plans be successfully implemented.

Curlieweed:
RareDiamond,

This sounds interesting. I like the focus on growing the local economy. All these beautification projects are never going to help us.

Although there is need for improvement, Rochas administration performed satisfactory. Far more productive than the past 2 administrations combined. I wonder why he is being viewed as a villian.
Failing to work on the minds of the people was his greatest undoing.
It's such a pity he didnt carry the people of imo state along.

What is good is good.
Kudos to Rochas

Work going on seriously at Imo Pilgrimage resort at Akachi. Isn't everything beginning to make sense?

More photos of Imo Cargo Airport one of the dozens of projects to be commissioned by Buhari next week.

More from the Airport which includes warehouses for dry cargoes and cold warehouses for perishables as well as Cargo terminal and offices.

Night

Imo1stson:
Some of the commissioned roads

Okorocha wants to become president of Nigeria,
therefore:

instead of giving Imo people pipe borne water, Okorocha builds High courts in Owerri with the hope he shall be in the good books of Nigeria's Judiciary;


Okorocha builds federal government prisons and police headquarters in Owerri with the hope he shall be in the good books of Buhari-led executive.

Okorocha builds NUJ offices in Owerri with the hope he shall be in the good books of the Fourth Estate of the Realm - the Press.

Okorocha builds huge houses and boulevards all over Owerri hoping that people shall see the houses and recommend him for Igbo president of Nigeria.

Okorocha, Owelle,

Nigerians are wiser than you. Your pursuit of your personal interest against the interest of your subjects is now a household talk

Imo State or Abia State or Ebonyi State or Enugu State....?

Imo1stson:
Work going on seriously at Imo Pilgrimage resort at Akachi. Isn't everything beginning to make sense?

Oh my God. ihe a o wu kwa nini?

Imo1stson:
Work going on seriously at Imo Pilgrimage resort at Akachi. Isn't everything beginning to make sense?

This Roaches slowpoke seriously wasted our money on crap, saddling the poor guy coming after him with 230 Billion Naira in debts with nothing useful to show for it.

Commissioning projects: if OBJ asks Gov Rochas Okorocha and Nd'Imo about the state or progress of the University Teaching Hospital and Sports Stadium OBJ commissioned in 2007 at Orlu, such a question shall be the greatest embarrassment for Nd'Igbo, more so for Nd'Imo.
Gov Okorocha dismantled the Sports Stadium because it was not built in his hometown.
Gov Okorocha abused and stifled the teaching hospital because it was not built in his hometown, sotay, Okorocha made sure no motorable road led to the teaching hospital in the last seven years.
Worse, as Okorocha started again to waste funds building eight lane streets inside Owerri, after building bypass roads around Owerri, no notable person from Owerri reminded Okorocha to rebuild the short road to IMSUTH in Orlu. Rochas Okorocha is like he is in sworn enmity against Orlu.

Imo1stson:
Senior Citizens Center. First of its kind in this part of the country.

Create a new thread for this so that it will reach fp people are earger to see wat Osibanjo commissioned

Empiz:
Although there is need for improvement, Rochas administration performed satisfactory. Far more productive than the past 2 administrations combined. I wonder why he is being viewed as a villian.
Failing to work on the minds of the people was his greatest undoing.
It's such a pity he didnt carry the people of imo state along.

What is good is good.
Kudos to Rochas

They hate APC. And the fact that Rocha's is associated with it, so much that they comitted political suicide.

High level 5star foolishness, and u would see foolish Igbo's saying they don't want presidency that its not by force.

They are using there foolishness to spoil and frustrate our chances, at the end one day our children would look at lists of Nigeria president since 1999, every region would get there turn twice, south west has gotten, north has gotten ,south south has gotten. And now its about to go back to the south west and south south through Amaechi then back to the north our people would be there fooling themselves saying we need Biafra and other people would be laughing at us.

Our eye go clear soon.

MyGeneration:
They hate APC. And the fact that Rocha's is associated with it, so much that they comitted political suicide.

High level 5star foolishness, and u would see foolish Igbo's saying they don't want presidency that its not by force.

They are using there foolishness to spoil and frustrate our chances, at the end one day our children would look at lists of Nigeria president since 1999, every region would get there turn twice, south west has gotten, north has gotten ,south south has gotten. And now its about to go back to the south west and south south through Amaechi then back to the north our people would be there fooling themselves saying we need Biafra and other people would be laughing at us.

Our eye go clear soon.

There are dozens of better presidential materials from the southeast in APC than Rochas Okorocha.

Nigeria's presidency is not for sale to the highest bidder; if it is, Buhari wouldn't have become president in 2015.

Each time Rochas whips up the sentiments of small minded Igbos that INEC is withholding certificate of returns because of his 2023 presidential bid, he makes more mess of himself before informed Nigerians.

Besides, are you sure APC can survive without Buhari?

MyGeneration:
They hate APC. And the fact that Rocha's is associated with it, so much that they comitted political suicide.

High level 5star foolishness, and u would see foolish Igbo's saying they don't want presidency that its not by force.

They are using there foolishness to spoil and frustrate our chances, at the end one day our children would look at lists of Nigeria president since 1999, every region would get there turn twice, south west has gotten, north has gotten ,south south has gotten. And now its about to go back to the south west and south south through Amaechi then back to the north our people would be there fooling themselves saying we need Biafra and other people would be laughing at us.

Our eye go clear soon.

Beyond the Presidency thing I've never seen where a Governor has worked so much that the major issue is either looking for fault in his works or searching for what he has not done. It simply means he did well but is being attacked because of other things outside good governance and most likely envy.

Imo1stson:
Beyond the Presidency thing I've never seen where a Governor has worked so much that the major issue is either looking for fault in his works or searching for what he has not done. It simply means he did well but is being attacked because of other things outside good governance and most likely envy.

People see a state governor who builds nearly 95% of his development projects in just one locality - state capital - as insane. A state governor who does not understand that govt provides drinking water to citizens, but builds grandiose structures with no economic significance all over the state capital. That's the coco in Okorocha's failure.

GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE
PRESS RELEASE

SUBJECT: GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA HANDS OVER 8 OF THE NEWLY BUILT HOSPITALS TO CHURCHES & INSTITUTIONS UNDER PPP ARRANGEMENT

-AS GOVERNMENT SIGNS AGREEMENTS WITH THEM

-ALSO DONATES 4 OTHER HOSPITALS TO ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, & NIGERIA POLICE.

-SAYS, PPP ARRGANGEMENT IS THE BEST FOR GOVERNMENT’S ESTABLISHMENTS & INSTITUTIONS.

Governor Rochas Okorocha has said that for government’s establishments and Institutions to thrive, the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement should be adopted or employed regretting that most people see government’s property as no-man’s property.

The governor spoke while handing over eight of the newly built Hospitals by his administration to Churches and Institutions, when the agreement to that effect was signed on Monday, May 20, 2019 at the Sam Mbakwe EXCO Chamber, Government House Owerri, with four other Hospitals also donated to the Army, Navy, Airforce and Police.

The government has built twenty-one, 200-bed Hospitals with one each in the twenty-seven local governments of the State and 1000-bed Somto Hospital another 1000-bed Mother and Child Hospital and Ochie Dike Diagnostic Hospital making it a total of 30 Hospitals.

The Anglican Diocese of Owerri took the Hospital at Ogwa in Mbaitoli LGA, the Lord Chosen Church headed by Pastor Lazarus Muoka took the one at Ohaji/Egbema local government, while the Anglican Diocese of Mbano and that of Okigwe South took those of Isiala Mbano and Okigwe LGAs respectively. They would manage the Hospitals for twenty-five years and only pay the State Government One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000)only, monthly.

The general hospital at Isu LGA was leased to the Claritian University as teaching Hospital, for ninety-nine years with the Imo State Government having ten percent investment. The Orlu United Medical team took the Orlu general Hospital and would also manage it for 25years and to be paying N100,000 monthly to the government.

The Galilee Education and Health took that of Obowo General Hospital, while the Nigeria Army has the one at Obinze, Nigeria Navy, the one at Ngor-Okpala, Airforce, the one at Owerri North and the Nigeria Police, the one at Ideato South.

The governor said at the event that government’s establishments and Institutions are better managed under the PPP arrangement, adding that NITEL, NIPOST, Nigeria Airways, and others would have stayed if they were driven under the PPP arrangement.

His words, “We are here to expand the scope of our government by bringing in Private Participation in running the affairs of government. We in Rescue Mission Government believe that government cannot do all things alone. But in partnership with organizations. We conceptualized this idea of PPP in Imo State 5 years ago with a law abiding it which allows the government to partner with Private Organizations and non-governmental organizations in the development of both the health and educational sectors of our economy. That has yielded fruits. Why we did that is because we want to make Imo State a health-town State”.

He added “But let me emphasize a little more on this PPP arrangement. By this PPP arrangement, you are expected to manage the Hospitals for the number of years contained in the agreement i.e. 25 years at the first instance. Your performance will now determine whether government will allow you to go for the next 25 years depending on how you have performed.”

In her speech the Commissioner for Health Dr. (Mrs.) Angela Uwakwem said “At the beginning of the Rescue Mission Government, Owelle Okorocha started with the policy of health at your doorstep and soon after, envisioned 27 general hospitals, one in each local government. Today, we are exploring the option of Public Private Partnership into actualizing this goal and making sure that this vision thrives well beyond this government. The issue of founding health is very high and government may not be able to do it alone”.

She stated “Today, we are happy to announce that we have partners who have shown enough willingness to help drive this goal of turning Imo into a health tourist State”.

Sam Onwuemeodo
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Meanwhile earlier

https://www.afro.who.int/news/imo-state-health-insurance-scheme-course-achieving-universal-health-coverage

Owerri 04 April 2019 – In Imo, indigenes are hopeful that the recently introduced State Health Insurance Scheme (ISHIS) will fast-track Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

This year’s commemoration of World Health Day (7 April) with the theme, Universal Health Coverage: everyone, everywhere, every time, shines a spotlight on the advantages UHC can bring to all people and in all places and why it is needed so much.

Located in South East Nigeria, Imo State has a population of 5.2 million predominantly young people of which over 5 million do not have access to health insurance or pre-paid essential healthcare.

Consequently, high percentage of indigenes live in abject poverty albeit a high literacy rate of 87%, with over 90% not protected from financial hardship when they access healthcare. Malaria is the most common disease and HIV Prevalence stands at 1.8%, which is above the national average of 1.4%. The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) stands at 576 per 100,000 live births while the under-five mortality rate (U5MR) stands at 96 per 1,000 live births.

“Imo State has a very high out-of-pocket expenditure (OOPE) which stands at 92% and a catastrophic expenditure rate of 68.8%. The World Health Organization (WHO) has helped us with the generation of baseline health financing data through the conduct of the first-ever State health account study and extensive household survey which were very instrumental to the launching of our Health Insurance Scheme,” says Dr Angela Uwakwem Commissioner for Health, Imo State.

She further reveals, “WHO has also helped to develop the Imo State Health Insurance Agency (ISHIA) Annual workplan and supported training of the Agency Staff. WHO is currently supporting us to develop operational guidelines and benefit packages for the scheme as well as a health financing policy and strategy towards achieving UHC. “

Health Insurance- a pedestal for achieving UHC
The ISHIS is anchored on a comprehensive program of primary healthcare revitalization and promises to bring health to the doorsteps of the people in the State especially those most in need. Recognizing the need to take appropriate steps towards implementation of these reforms for maximum impact and demonstrated expertise, Governor Rochas Okorocha requested the leadership of WHO in September 2018, to collaborate with Imo in establishing the State Health Insurance Scheme.

Pursuant to the mandate to support member states in accelerating achievement of UHC, WHO commenced immediate support to the State for generation of baseline health financing data through the State Health Account study and household survey which catalyzed the launching of the Imo State Health Insurance Scheme on 27 October 2018.

The ISHIA, with support from the State leadership, is now engaged in strategic advocacy to various stakeholders in both the formal and informal sectors, including joint Labour Unions, Traders’ Associations, Organized Private Sector, Church leaders, traditional Rulers, and community influencers. .

“WHO will sustain ongoing technical support to finalize ISHIA’s operational guidelines; use collected evidence to finalize the benefit package and conduct actuarial costing. In addition support for accreditation of health facilities for provision of quality health services and adoption of a result-based financing scheme to develop a provider payment mechanism that guarantees value for money,” says Dr Clement Peter, Officer in Charge, WHO Nigeria.

The question now is since his successor is from a party that disagrees with Okorocha's policies can Ihedioha sustain these ingenious achievements? Will his followers sweep shame aside, accept the truth that Okorocha is on the right track and then urge him to sustain the track to achieve the ultimate goal or will they out of pride destroy these legacies?

Imo1stson:
The question now is since his successor is from a party that disagrees with Okorocha's policies can Ihedioha sustain these ingenious achievements? Will his followers sweep shame aside, accept the truth that Okorocha is on the right track and then urge him to sustain the track to achieve the ultimate goal or will they out of pride destroy these legacies?

ironic that rochas administration refused to handover pubic schools that were mission schools before that govt take over in the 1970s to the original owners. .ohakim handed over some to the church but some weren't. .rochas had 8 years to continue and finally handover the remaining but refused..so I wonder thus your thought now

Imo1stson:
GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE
PRESS RELEASE

SUBJECT: GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA HANDS OVER 8 OF THE NEWLY BUILT HOSPITALS TO CHURCHES & INSTITUTIONS UNDER PPP ARRANGEMENT

-AS GOVERNMENT SIGNS AGREEMENTS WITH THEM

-ALSO DONATES 4 OTHER HOSPITALS TO ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, & NIGERIA POLICE.

-SAYS, PPP ARRGANGEMENT IS THE BEST FOR GOVERNMENT’S ESTABLISHMENTS & INSTITUTIONS.

Governor Rochas Okorocha has said that for government’s establishments and Institutions to thrive, the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement should be adopted or employed regretting that most people see government’s property as no-man’s property.

The governor spoke while handing over eight of the newly built Hospitals by his administration to Churches and Institutions, when the agreement to that effect was signed on Monday, May 20, 2019 at the Sam Mbakwe EXCO Chamber, Government House Owerri, with four other Hospitals also donated to the Army, Navy, Airforce and Police.

The government has built twenty-one, 200-bed Hospitals with one each in the twenty-seven local governments of the State and 1000-bed Somto Hospital another 1000-bed Mother and Child Hospital and Ochie Dike Diagnostic Hospital making it a total of 30 Hospitals.

The Anglican Diocese of Owerri took the Hospital at Ogwa in Mbaitoli LGA, the Lord Chosen Church headed by Pastor Lazarus Muoka took the one at Ohaji/Egbema local government, while the Anglican Diocese of Mbano and that of Okigwe South took those of Isiala Mbano and Okigwe LGAs respectively. They would manage the Hospitals for twenty-five years and only pay the State Government One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000)only, monthly.

The general hospital at Isu LGA was leased to the Claritian University as teaching Hospital, for ninety-nine years with the Imo State Government having ten percent investment. The Orlu United Medical team took the Orlu general Hospital and would also manage it for 25years and to be paying N100,000 monthly to the government.

The Galilee Education and Health took that of Obowo General Hospital, while the Nigeria Army has the one at Obinze, Nigeria Navy, the one at Ngor-Okpala, Airforce, the one at Owerri North and the Nigeria Police, the one at Ideato South.

The governor said at the event that government’s establishments and Institutions are better managed under the PPP arrangement, adding that NITEL, NIPOST, Nigeria Airways, and others would have stayed if they were driven under the PPP arrangement.

His words, “We are here to expand the scope of our government by bringing in Private Participation in running the affairs of government. We in Rescue Mission Government believe that government cannot do all things alone. But in partnership with organizations. We conceptualized this idea of PPP in Imo State 5 years ago with a law abiding it which allows the government to partner with Private Organizations and non-governmental organizations in the development of both the health and educational sectors of our economy. That has yielded fruits. Why we did that is because we want to make Imo State a health-town State”.

He added “But let me emphasize a little more on this PPP arrangement. By this PPP arrangement, you are expected to manage the Hospitals for the number of years contained in the agreement i.e. 25 years at the first instance. Your performance will now determine whether government will allow you to go for the next 25 years depending on how you have performed.”

In her speech the Commissioner for Health Dr. (Mrs.) Angela Uwakwem said “At the beginning of the Rescue Mission Government, Owelle Okorocha started with the policy of health at your doorstep and soon after, envisioned 27 general hospitals, one in each local government. Today, we are exploring the option of Public Private Partnership into actualizing this goal and making sure that this vision thrives well beyond this government. The issue of founding health is very high and government may not be able to do it alone”.

She stated “Today, we are happy to announce that we have partners who have shown enough willingness to help drive this goal of turning Imo into a health tourist State”.

Sam Onwuemeodo
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Don't you think this is the kind of news we need on front page? We need this type of news to promote our beloved IMO state and somewhat help Okorocha's career by letting other see that he wasn't just a so-called statue governor. It pains me when I see people rate Ganduje, Ajimobi, Akpabio, Aregbesola, Sullivan Chime and Udom Emmanuel above Rochas.

asha80:
ironic that rochas administration refused to handover pubic schools that were mission schools before that govt take over in the 1970s to the original owners. .ohakim handed over some to the church but some weren't. .rochas had 8 years to continue and finally handover the remaining but refused..so I wonder thus your thought now

It's always good to write when you are informed than write out of assumption.

Imo1stson:
It's always good to write when you are informed than write out of assumption.

it is good to explain (from a govt) why the took a particular decision instead allowing the masses make up their mind on why they took a decision

Imo1stson:
GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE
PRESS RELEASE

SUBJECT: GOVERNOR ROCHAS OKOROCHA HANDS OVER 8 OF THE NEWLY BUILT HOSPITALS TO CHURCHES & INSTITUTIONS UNDER PPP ARRANGEMENT

-AS GOVERNMENT SIGNS AGREEMENTS WITH THEM

-ALSO DONATES 4 OTHER HOSPITALS TO ARMY, NAVY, AIR FORCE, & NIGERIA POLICE.

-SAYS, PPP ARRGANGEMENT IS THE BEST FOR GOVERNMENT’S ESTABLISHMENTS & INSTITUTIONS.

Governor Rochas Okorocha has said that for government’s establishments and Institutions to thrive, the Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement should be adopted or employed regretting that most people see government’s property as no-man’s property.

The governor spoke while handing over eight of the newly built Hospitals by his administration to Churches and Institutions, when the agreement to that effect was signed on Monday, May 20, 2019 at the Sam Mbakwe EXCO Chamber, Government House Owerri, with four other Hospitals also donated to the Army, Navy, Airforce and Police.

The government has built twenty-one, 200-bed Hospitals with one each in the twenty-seven local governments of the State and 1000-bed Somto Hospital another 1000-bed Mother and Child Hospital and Ochie Dike Diagnostic Hospital making it a total of 30 Hospitals.

The Anglican Diocese of Owerri took the Hospital at Ogwa in Mbaitoli LGA, the Lord Chosen Church headed by Pastor Lazarus Muoka took the one at Ohaji/Egbema local government, while the Anglican Diocese of Mbano and that of Okigwe South took those of Isiala Mbano and Okigwe LGAs respectively. They would manage the Hospitals for twenty-five years and only pay the State Government One Hundred Thousand Naira (N100,000)only, monthly.

The general hospital at Isu LGA was leased to the Claritian University as teaching Hospital, for ninety-nine years with the Imo State Government having ten percent investment. The Orlu United Medical team took the Orlu general Hospital and would also manage it for 25years and to be paying N100,000 monthly to the government.

The Galilee Education and Health took that of Obowo General Hospital, while the Nigeria Army has the one at Obinze, Nigeria Navy, the one at Ngor-Okpala, Airforce, the one at Owerri North and the Nigeria Police, the one at Ideato South.

The governor said at the event that government’s establishments and Institutions are better managed under the PPP arrangement, adding that NITEL, NIPOST, Nigeria Airways, and others would have stayed if they were driven under the PPP arrangement.

His words, “We are here to expand the scope of our government by bringing in Private Participation in running the affairs of government. We in Rescue Mission Government believe that government cannot do all things alone. But in partnership with organizations. We conceptualized this idea of PPP in Imo State 5 years ago with a law abiding it which allows the government to partner with Private Organizations and non-governmental organizations in the development of both the health and educational sectors of our economy. That has yielded fruits. Why we did that is because we want to make Imo State a health-town State”.

He added “But let me emphasize a little more on this PPP arrangement. By this PPP arrangement, you are expected to manage the Hospitals for the number of years contained in the agreement i.e. 25 years at the first instance. Your performance will now determine whether government will allow you to go for the next 25 years depending on how you have performed.”

In her speech the Commissioner for Health Dr. (Mrs.) Angela Uwakwem said “At the beginning of the Rescue Mission Government, Owelle Okorocha started with the policy of health at your doorstep and soon after, envisioned 27 general hospitals, one in each local government. Today, we are exploring the option of Public Private Partnership into actualizing this goal and making sure that this vision thrives well beyond this government. The issue of founding health is very high and government may not be able to do it alone”.

She stated “Today, we are happy to announce that we have partners who have shown enough willingness to help drive this goal of turning Imo into a health tourist State”.

Sam Onwuemeodo
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor

Good one from a good man with good intentions

Ogb, you are back, you cannot continue to run. Now we need to resume talks about your dead Abia state. Umuahia is the worst and most backward state capital in West Africa, while Aba is a disgusting dilapidated filthy shithole. Overall, Abia state is a sewage pit toilet with the worst roads and environment in Nigeria.

Since 1999 till date Abia is yet to have a governor. Abia state is easily the worst state in Nigeria. Abia people are never interested in the governance of their state, no wonder illiterates and idiots who have been looting the state since 1999 has continued till date.

B2mario:
Good one from a good man with good intentions

asha80:
ironic that rochas administration refused to handover pubic schools that were mission schools before that govt take over in the 1970s to the original owners. .ohakim handed over some to the church but some weren't. .rochas had 8 years to continue and finally handover the remaining but refused..so I wonder thus your thought now

Must we always look at the bad part, infact, how sure are you about this news because I can't believe you people any longer? You hate everything about Rochas and wouldn't mind lying against him to achieve something that can't benefit you anything.

Even if what you wrote was true, he was right too not to return them to churches after renovating them and make them free thinking that they are safe to be run by government.

Imo1stson:
It's always good to write when you are informed than write out of assumption.

my brother, I tire for these people

I am opening Abia thread for you today. Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi all have threads except your dead Abia state. Be prepared to post pictures from your dead state there

B2mario:
my brother, I tire for these people

B2mario:
Must we always look at the bad part, infact, how sure are you about this news because I can't believe you people any longer? You hate everything about Rochas and wouldn't mind lying against him to achieve something that can't benefit you anything.

Even if what you wrote was true, he was right too not to return them to churches after renovating them and make them free thinking that they are safe to be run by government.

k

Imo1stson:
The question now is since his successor is from a party that disagrees with Okorocha's policies can Ihedioha sustain these ingenious achievements? Will his followers sweep shame aside, accept the truth that Okorocha is on the right track and then urge him to sustain the track to achieve the ultimate goal or will they out of pride destroy these legacies?

Okorocha upturned nearly every devt project he met in Imo state that were established by former governors, right from Mbakwe's surface water supply systems, to the University teaching hospital established by Udenwa.

So who does Okorocha expect to move ahead with his projects that were mostly empty buildings that never got legislative approval from IMHA?

Nigeria to Produce Agricultural Machinery Soon ― FG

By ADEMOLA ADEGBITE | ABUJA On May 20, 2019

THE Federal Government will soon commission Agricultural Machinery and Development Institute (AMEDI) in Mbotu, Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo state.

Speaking when he visited the Institute at the weekend, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu disclosed that the institute would design and produce agricultural machinery for farming, planting, processing, and harvesting of agricultural produce.

In a statement by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Relations Unit of the ministry, AbdulGaniyu Aminu, a copy of which was made available to the Nigerian Tribune in Abuja, on Monday, Dr Onu further said the institute was established in order to ensure food security in Nigeria.

According to him, my visit to the institute is to enable me to assess the level of work in preparation for the commissioning.

“The institute is not for actual production, our interest is for them to do the design and do the necessary research so that the commercialization will be done by the organized private Sector.

“If we involve our businessmen and women all over the world, the level of commercialization will be much higher. We would not only be in a position to produce this machine to be used locally in Nigeria but also for our export.” He added.

He described the past situation in which Nigeria was the highest importer of rice as unacceptable, adding that “today we are doing very well, we are importing very little and producing rice in abundance though we still need to produce more”.

Dr. Onu stressed need to mechanize our agriculture and introduce lot technology and innovation that will make agricultural processes to be very stress-free and competitive.

“We need to train our people, boost agricultural capacity if we have enough people who have this capability to design of machines, we would be in a position to start exporting some of these machines,” he added.

Dr, Onu further disclosed that the workshop of the institute is 80% completed while the administrative block is at an advanced stage, adding that the equipment is available in Mbutu and will be installed as the building is nearing completion.

Earlier, the Director-General, the National Agency for Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), Professor Muhammed Haruna, who was represented by a director in the agency, Mrs. Nonye Onyiyechi said that institute was established to boost agricultural production through mechanization.

She expressed hope that with the visit of the minister, the project would be concluded before the end of the year

https://www.tribuneonlineng.com/212968/