By Abasi Ita, Calabar
As part of efforts to revolutionize the agric sector in Cross River, the state Governor, Senator Bassey Otu has approved the procurement of 108 tractors for large-scale farming across the agrarian state.
The executive nod for the procurement of the farm machines and its accessories constitute part of far reaching decisions adopted at the end of delibrations during the third Executive Council meeting of the year.
The state Information and Orientation Commissioner, Erasmus Ekpang who interacted with the media after the meeting said ” The massive intervention in the agricultural sector is part of Initiatives to promote large-scale through mechanized farming, while also ensuring aggressive participation of our youths in farming,
” Most importantly, Governor Otu is passionate and committed to banishing hunger from amongst our people,and this is only possible by encouraging optimum utilization of our massive arable land with a view of achieving food security”
On the planned refurbishing of the studio at Kada Cinemas gutted by a recent inferno by the state government,
Ekpang explained that ” The state government opted to fix the burnt studio to demonstrate its readiness for a robust synergy with potential investors in revamping not our tourism sector, but every facet of our state economy through public private partnership”
He opined that the gesture is meant to upscale current momentum achieved in revamping the tourism sector, meet the need of the public for a condusive entertainment atmosphere, while sending strong message to potential investors with regards to government’s readiness to shield their investment from unwarranted hazards”
The state government also fine tuned arrangements for the award contracts for the over hauling of facilities and total rehabilitation of Ikom general hospital to meet globally acceptable standard, completion of the Local Government Service Commission at the New Secretariat Complex building abandoned over a decade ago.
Equally approved by the Council are contracts for reconstruction of the Ugep urban roads, the procurement of 10 transformers to replace worn- out ones across the state as well as resuscitation of the Odukpani -Akamkpa Electrification network.
Meanwhile, three executive bills are to be forwarded to the state House of Assembly. The area bill for the amendment of the State Security Trust Fund Law 2010, a Bill for the mainstreaming of climate change actions and establishment of thStatete Council on Climate Change, and a bill for the establishment of the State Green Economy Commission.
Other projects awaiting approval by the government for commencement include the rehabilitation of the internal road networks in Ogoja, Ikom, and Ugep and the completion of the Yahe- Ebo- Wanokom- Wanikade -Wanihem -Benue Border road, Boki East-West road and Oban road in Akamkpa amongst other projects.