CRBDA partners communities on agriculture

Cross River Basin Development Authourity (CRBDA) has resolved to partner with traditional institutions and land donor communities in Cross River state to achieve its agricultural diversification projects.

Chairman of the Board, Eseme Eyiboh who gave this assurance when he called on the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo OkonAbasi (V) and the Paramount Ruler of Calabar Municipality, Patrick Agbor recently as part of activities to mark the formal commencement of work in the catchment communities, said “the desire to fully integrate Land donor communities in the proposed diversification programme would be the watch word for the 13th Board of Cross River Basin Development Authority’’.

As custodian of the people culture and primary owners of the Land and Natural Resources of the various communities, Eyiboh said the River Basin would engage Royal Fathers and the locals in the planning and execution of the proposed partnership. While commending the Royal Fathers for creating a conducive working environment for the Authority over the years, Eyiboh said the Authority under his watch would engage the Royal Fathers on a regular basis with view to sustaining the peaceful relationship already existing in the catchment areas as the Board was determined to ensure the success of the programme.

On the issue of land ownership, the chairman said since the Authority was not taking the land from the people, the proposed partnership arrangement would create a sense of belonging among the participating communities.
On the issue of Employment of Youths from the area, he said the palaces would be consulted whenever the Authority is considering the engagement of staff in the outfit but added that the agricultural diversification programme can only succeed if all hands were on deck.