Ebonyi govt approves N800m to boost agriculture, goes tough on contractors

Ebonyi State government has approved the sum of N500m for the procurement of Agricultural Power Tiller Machines for distribution to farmers in the state.

 

The move the government said, is a deliberate intervention to consolidate the present Administration’s agricultural agenda, and to deepen mechanization, and enhance productivity among smallholder and medium-scale farmers who constitute the backbone of food system in the state.

 

The disclosure was made on Wednesday by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Barr. Ikeuwa Omebeh while briefing journalists on the outcomes of two seperate state Executive Council meeting of 4th and 17th March..

 

According to the Commissioner, the Tiller Machines, 250 in number, is estimated to cost Two million naira each.

 

“By this intervention, Government hopes to significantly enhance mechanization, increase productivity, and reduce farming drudgery.

 

“The initiative is also expected to empower farmers, create employment opportunities, and encourage youth participation in Agriculture.

 

“The Exco, in view of the strategic importance of the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) to rural development, agricultural value-chain enhancement and improved livelihoods also approved the release of the sum of Three Hundred Million Naira (N300,000,000) as the State’s Statutory 10% counterpart contribution for RAAMP in 2026 fiscal year”.

 

The Commissioner who also conveyed the Executive Council’s displeasure with the slow pace of work and spate of Abandonment of ongoing projects by contractors, announced the Council’s approval for the termination of all 2km road contracts yet to be completed.

 

Recall that the 2km road contract in each of the communities was one of the earliest contracts awarded by Governor Nwifuru’s administration. The approval for termination of the uncompleted ones was a result of the report of the earlier Committee set by the EXCO for assessment and review of progress of the contracts.

 

Omebeh explained: “The EXCO of Tuesday 3rd February, 2026 had noticed with dismay the slow pace of works at the project sites and consequently directed committees supervising the project to move to sites and as well make recommendations for the termination of jobs that were either not seriously on-going or poorly executed.

 

“The committees were also mandated to review all payment certificates and certify them before payments are made”.

 

The EXCO, according to the Commissiomer, also deliberated exhaustively on the Progress Report on the ongoing 22 model secondary school projects across the state and approved that with effect from Wednesday, March 4, 2026, any contractor that had received the building project money but have not reached parapets level should be arrested and the money recovered.

 

Other resolutions reached by the Exco during the meetings as briefed by Omebeh include approval for the sum of One Billion, Three Hundred Million Naira (N1,300,000,000.00) for the commencement of air conditioning installations at the Ebonyi State Trade Centre Project; approval for the Construction of a new, ultra-modern Government House Clinic as well as the hosting of investors and provision of space at the Ezzamgbo Industrial City, for the establishment of a Waste-to-Energy and Solar-to-Energy Project in the state as offered by the China Municipal council and its partners.

 

The Exco, as a mark of posthumous honour, also approved the proposal for the rebuilding of the Palace of a statesman, and the first indigenous Governor of the defunct Eastern Region, Ezeogo Dr. Francis Akanu Ibiam.

 

Omebeh described the move as “government’s practical step to honour the foremost founding father and revered Igbo leader who paid his dues in both state and nation building”.

 

The Commissioner added: “Following State Government’s earlier resolve to tame activities of House Agents which has invariably led to exorbitant house rents, particularly in the state capital, EXCO proposes an Executive Council Bill to regulate Landlord, Tenant rents and fees charged by House Agents in the State.

 

“With this law, it will be illegal for any Agent to collect a fee exceeding 2% of the total percentage of the required rent across the state.This is to ensure that all qualified and registered Agents act within the law to cushion the hardship arbitrary agent-charges have meted on the citizens.

 

“In the same vein, Exco proposes an Executive bill tagged “a Bill for the Law to regulate the sale of metal and electrical scraps in Ebonyi State and other related matters.

 

“The bill when churned into law is expected to regulate the buying, selling, possession, transportation and disposal of metal and electrical scraps in Ebonyi State.

 

“This is to avoid vandalism, environmental degradation and promotion of public safety among other related matters.

 

•Chief Barr. Ikeuwa Omebeh