Imo kicks off agric initiative with N2b

•Allays fears over pay cut

Determined to diversify the economy through agriculture, Governor Rochas Owelle of Imo State yesterday announced the take-off of his administration’s ‘back to land for agriculture’ project.

The governor, who spoke in Owerri while playing host to some monarchs under the aegis of Royal Fathers in Agriculture who were led by Eze Chidume Okoro, said under the policy, public servants would work from Monday through Wednesday while Thursdays and Fridays are to be used for farming.

He said the state could no longer depend on federal allocations.

Okorocha said N2 billion had been set aside for the policy, with a pilot test that will run for one year.

He dismissed the salary cut rumour, exempting public servants on essential duties like teachers, nurses, doctors as well as political appointees and those involved in Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) drive from the inititiative.

“We shall try this programme for the period of one year, starting from 1st of August 2016 and hopefully this will help. Let me make this emphasis before it is misconstrued or misrepresented. This does not in any way affect the salaries of workers. They will get their full salaries as being the practice. So the policy does not mean that there will be a cut in salary, rather let us now find a way for our workers to supplement their salaries. For this reason, the issue of annual and casual leave is hereby cancelled. Resumption time for work has changed from 8am to 7:30 a.m. in the morning and ends by 4:00 p.m. Any worker that is not found on his or her seat between 7.30 a.m. and 4.00 p.m. on the days concerned will be summarily dismissed,” Okorocha said.

The governor warned that the policy must be taken seriously. “Everybody must go back to agriculture. Every political appointee must own a farm.

The youths would also be encouraged to take to agriculture. Schools, including universities, polytechnics and secondary schools in the state, must own farms. The Community Government Council (CGC) must be strengthened for the sake of this agricultural programme,” he added.