SOLUDO LAUNCHES 2ND ROUND OF PALM OIL/ COCONUT SEEDLINGS DISTRIBUTION

REPORTER: BEN ILECHUKWU

The Anambra State Government has commenced the second phase of the distribution of about one hundred and seventy thousand coconut seedlings and five hundred thousand palm oil seedlings across the twenty one local government areas of the state.

Governor Chukwuma Soludo who launched the distribution of the seedlings to ten local government councils, noted that hybrid coconut seedlings imported from Malaisia would help to revamp the oil and coconut palm economy, as promised in his campaign manifesto.

Apart from Anaocha, Idemili South and Nnewi North Local Government Areas visited, the seedlings were distributed simultaneously in other seven communities including Neni, Ukpo, Ozubulu, Ihiala and Abagana, as well as communities in Nnewi South and Idemili North Local Government Areas.

Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Foster Ifejiofor, the Governor maintained that the exercise would reduce the poverty ratio due to its economic values, adding that the hybrid specie had the ability to mature for harvest between two and three years.

Governor Soludo stated that as part of his vision in making agriculture a sustainable venture, the government aimed at re-enacting some of the agricultural policies of the first Republic Premier of the Eastern Region, under the late Michael Okpara.

The Governor described the coconut seedlings to be of great quality, which he noted was characterized by thick flesh, high oil and milky content, hence the need for it to be evenly distributed to reach the grassroots.

The Governor, while stressing that the programme would create sustainable wealth, noted that the seedlings would be distributed free of charge and urged all the transition committee chairmen and ward steering committees to sensitize the beneficiaries to the best way to take care of the plants as well as ensuring it gets to grassroots.

The Transition Committee Chairman for Nnewi North Local Government Area, Mr. Ezeh Obiora, lauded the Soludo led administration for embarking on massive construction of roads, assuring of onward and evenly distribution of seedlings to all nooks and crannies of the communities.

Also, the Transition Committee Chairman of Anaocha Local Government Area, Mr. Gerald Ozo, extolled the giant strides the Soludo administration had achieved in all the sectors and promised to keep his support.

In a speech, Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Political Matters, Mr. Alex Obiogbolu, pointed out that the seedlings would be distributed by wards and per kindred, stressing that individual data of recipients would be collected to ensure effectiveness.

Radio Nigeria gathered that 2,500 oil palm seedlings and 500 coconut seedlings would be distributed per ward and targeted at 134, 000 families statewide.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU