SEDC, Abia Sign MoU on Agricultural Revolution

From Daniel Maduagwu

A major milestone was recorded in agriculture sector of Abia State on Wednesday as the South East Development Commission (SEDC) and the Abia State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to commence a collaborative partnership focused on agricultural industrialization and transformation.

The signing of the MoU was performed between top management team of the SEDC led by the Managing Director of the Commission, Hon. Mark Okoye represented by Stanley Ohajuruka, Executive Director in charge of Finance in the SEDC, and Governor Alex Otti represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture in Abia State, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze.

The signing of the MoU also saw SEDC presenting its other delegation comprising Dr. Cliff Ogbede, (Executive Director in charge of natural resources, agriculture and rural development), Chief Daniel Akwari (Abia State representative in the SEDC), Barrister Nnanna Obeta (Head Legal Services) and Mr. Nnamdi Umunnakwe ( The Technical Assistant to NRARD).

Abia State side of the MoU was led by Governor Alex Otti, represented by the Honourable Commissioner Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze.

Others on the side of the Abia State government included representatives of the Abia State Ministry of Justice , top management staff of Abia State Ministry of Agriculture and representatives of the Abia State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.

The event was performed at the conference room of the Abia State Ministry of Agriculture with signatures appended to approve the historic collaboration.

In his speech, the MD/CEO of SEDC, represented by the Executive Director of Finance, Rt Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka, commended the Governor, Dr. Alex Otti for the commitment and attention his administration is giving to strengthen the productive sectors and for supporting sustainable economic growth.

He noted that the true measure of success does not lie in photographs, announcements, or ceremonies, but in the investments attracted, the jobs created, and the communities empowered.

He said that the economy of Abia State would be positively impacted, saying that agricultural opportunities in the State would be opened up youths and other players in agriculture sector to leverage on.

The Executive Director of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development at SEDC, Dr Cliff Ogbede, assured the people of Abia State of the Commission’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that all projects and programmes under the partnership are fully implemented, with tangible impact felt by the ordinary Abia man and residents in local communities.

In his speech during the MoU signing event, Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, OFR, represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze said the South East Agro Development program of the South East Development Commission aligned with his administration’s policy thrust in agric revolution.

Governor Otti who commended the South East Development Commission for acknowledging his strides in agric sector, said his administration would provide the lands for the projects while the SEDC would catalyze the program.

He further said that job creation through agriculture, support for investors and boosting of Internally Generated Revenues through the agriculture sector are some of the hallmarks of his administration.

On employment and food production, the Governor represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze said that Abians are being empowered to move away from hand-to-mouth system of farming to entrepreneurship.

Meanwhile, some Abians have reacted to the signing of the MoU, praising Governor Alex Otti and his Commissioner for Agric, Dr. Cliff for the milestone.

Some of the respondents including a farmer, Mr. Ukauwa Benson and Mrs Chinyere Agwu said thanked the State government for paying more attention to the welfare of farmers.