FG Urges State Govts, LGAs, to Embrace NALDA Programme

Okon Bassey in Uyo

The federal government has called on communities, local and state governments across the country to embrace the move to achieve food sufficiency in the country through the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA).

The National Facilitator to NALDA, Mr Obioha Elenwoko who made the call said such partnership could be achieved by donating land for NALDA to embark on integrated agricultural scheme in line with the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari.

Elenwoko spoke during sensitization visit to Ikot Ekpuk community in Oruk Anam LGA of Akwa Ibom State, which he noted was the first community in the south-south region to donate 100 hectares of land for the agricultural project in the area.

He explained that the scheme is to fulfil the plan of President Buhari that “we must produce what we eat and eat what we produce”.

NALDA, he said, is shouldered with the responsibility of developing the land acquired in the rural areas for integrated farm estates to increase agricultural output of the nation.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Prince Paul Ikonne noted that by donating the land, the people of Ikot Ekpuk village have shown passion to the NALDA programme and ready to partner.

Ikonne represented by the Akwa Ibom State Coordinator of NALDA, Barrister Imoh Imoh stressed that the federal government has given the agency the power to explore all nooks and crannies of the country where agricultural land had not been put to use due to lack of resources and capital.

Speaking for the community, the former Minister of Petroleum, Otuekong Don Etiebet thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for approving operation of NALDA in the locality.

The former Minister who was represented by former vice chairman of the LGA, Hon Okokon Etiebet said the community will support the project in term of providing security to compliment the one provided by government.