Obiano targets food sufficiency in Anambra The sun

Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano yesterday assured that his administration has mapped out plans to harness the agricultural potential of the state and make it a food sufficient place.
Obiano gave the assurance in Abuja yesterday, during an interactive session  with journalists, and also indicated that he has plans to ensure that Awka, the state capital is developed and elevated to a befitting status.

He noted that the Anambra East agricultural belt is enough capital to feed the state, and even the nation with better economy for the farmers who would get enhancement to make a living from their works.
The new governor also noted that he would soon announce his cabinet as he has no time to waste in taking off effectively.
He said he had already made some key appointments including his Chief of Staff, the principal secretary and secretary to the state government, while the commissioners that would work with him will be announced soon.
The Anambra chief executive promised to open up the region to produce enough food for the state for domestic consumption and also for industrial processing.
He recalled that the same belt, as compliment to the commerce the state is known for also has oil and gas and with the Orient refinery that is already 50 percent completed, the state would soon join the league of oil producing and refining states in Nigeria.
“With these economic incentives and enablers on ground, I don’t see a reason the state would not grow bigger, better and higher in economy. We have enough arable land which if harnessed into mechanized production is enough to provide food for the entire nation, and I don’t see a reason we won’t tap into that potential and develop our people and make their lives better.”
The governor who came into office about two weeks ago said he is charged and ready not to fail the people of the state that voted him into power to pilot their common interest.
“I have an obligation beyond politicking to take the state higher. I have the advantage of inheriting a good platform from a man that laid the right foundation for further growth of the state, the former governor of our dear state, Chief Peter Obi. I have resolved I will never fail the people, my party and my predecessor, therefore whatever policies and programmes I have or announce must be executed to the letter.”
Obiano also disclosed that he has appointed a committee headed by Prof. Omaliko, to prepare a roadmap on how to identify the strengths of each zone in the state, harness them into use and grow the state.
On security, he said he has already set up a Joint Taskforce that consists of the army, police and navy to effectively handle the security challenges of the state, especially kidnapping and armed robbery.
He also intends to urgently rebuild the markets in the state into modern facilities for better service and elevated contribution to the economy and general development of the state. This, according to him, will enable people outside the state to purchase their goods in the state with ease.
The governor vowed to: “Continue with what we call economic enablers like in the areas of education, agriculture, health and power. I have been spending time on things that will develop Anambra State as a wealth creating state, like in the area of mechanized agriculture, I have just set a committee on agriculture to show that we are placing emphasis of three crops like cassava, rice and maize; we are going to base on what each community plants well as we intend to attract industries that are agro based.”