ABIA STATE GOVT PLANS TO ESTABLISH COCOA FACTORIES

REPORTER: PEACE AGBO

Abia State Government says it is working out modalities to ensure that the 16 cocoa producing local government areas of the state are turned into producing estates for the establishment of cocoa factories.

The factories will beef up the production capacity of the state.

The Deputy Governor of the state, Mr. Ikechukwu Emetu, announced this during a meeting with members of the State Cocoa Farmers Association at the Government House, Umuahia.

He pointed out that the era of other states benefiting from the high production of cocoa from Abia State to boost their rating at the detriment of the state would no longer be tolerated.

According to the Deputy Governor, the present administration will encourage exportation of cocoa to other countries by farmers in the State, having recognized the role of agriculture in the economy of any nation.

Earlier, the Chairman, Cocoa Farmers in Abia State, Mr. John Kalu and the State Cocoa Desk Officer, Elder Enoch Kalu, said they were at the Government House to inform the Deputy Governor of the choice of the State as one of the six pilot states that would represent and benefit from the 2.3 million dollar grant to assist cocoa farmers.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU