Gov. Emmanuel tackles food scarcity, orders cultivation of onions

Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom has directed the Ministry of Agriculture to begin the cultivation of onions in the state.

This comes on heels of skyrocketing price of food stuffs such as rice, garri, beans, onion, tomato and others in local markets in the country.

In a press release signed by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Iniobong Ememobong, on Thursday in Uyo after the State Executive Council, Emmanuel directed the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Gloria Edet to crash the prices of garri and rice ahead of the Yuletide season.

• A diet of onions and cucumber can help fight diabetes
• Sokoto onion farmers rake in N4bn in 5 months – Farmers scribe

The governor also ordered the immediate establishment of agriculture depots in the three senatorial districts of the state.

“EXCO has directed the State Commissioner for Agriculture and the entire agriculture apparatus of government to ensure that the prices of garri and rice are crashed to a reasonable amount in preparation for the yuletide.

“Also, EXCO noted the hike in price of onions and has directed the Ministry to take practical steps to ensure large scale commercial production of onions.

“We do not want to be challenged by things we can surmount, hence the desire of Government to produce at least 80 percent of consumables here in the state is on course,” he added.

He also disclosed that the governor is putting measures in place to ensure a crime free Yuletide across the State and has directed security agencies to handle all security infractions in the State with diligence in preparation for the season.

He declared the post of the General Manager of Akwa Ibom Water Company vacant, and to advertise for a replacement.

On COVID-19, the Governor said, “That the State COVID-19 Task Force should continue to maintain strict surveillance on COVID -19 spread, in the light of its global resurgence. An action plan for Risk Communication and Community Engagement was presented and reviewed.

“The Next State Executive Council meeting will be dedicated to Education issues, specifically to receive and discuss the 10 year Education roadmap drawn from the Education Summit 2019,” he stated.