Abia targets improved revenue from agric

TO reduce dependence on federal allocation, the Abia State Government has constituted a six-man committee of permanent secretaries to identify such cash crops that could be fully harnessed to raise revenue.

Inaugurating the committee for improved yield of economic crop, the Head of Service (HoS), Dr. Vivian Uma, said it was informed by government’s financial challenges arising from the dwindling federal allocation, hoping that the committee would not only increase revenue but also reduce hunger and poverty.

He told the committee members that Governor Okezie Ikpeazu’s administration was determined to improve the state’s revenue-base through the project, and that the committee could coopt anybody or group considered capable to assist it.

The terms of reference include determining the economic value of cashew nuts and plantain, seeking ways and means of enhancing their yields through improved mechanised farming. They are also to determine increase in yield and the land area for cultivation of economic crops for meaningful yields.

Chairman of the committee and Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Economic Affairs, Victoria Chigbu, commended the initiative, assuring that members would do their best on the task.

Meanwhile, Uma, who also visited the Local Government Service Commission, headed by Dan Ebogu, has urged workers to assist the government in its renewed fight against corruption and other social vices.

According to him, government is determined to deal with any act of sabotage against its operations as the global economic problem continues, wondering why civil servants have now grown lukewarm and insensitive.

Similarly, he told the executive committee members of Administrative Officers Association of Nigeria, who visited him, that the state government remained committed to ending the ills bedeviling the state civil service.

President of the group, Anthony Nwachukwu, had complained to the HoS that career adjustment petitions were not being properly scrutinised before being forwarded to the state Civil Service Commission, urging him to address the issue appropriately.

The other requests included the payment of hazard allowance to members, and their posting to some sensitive establishments to save the civil service from further collapse and humiliation.