The Akwa Ibom State Government (AKSG) has partnered the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) in the control of flood and its effects on farmlands in the State.

The partnership was demonstrated through the distribution of relief materials to farmers affected by the 2020 flood in the State at the State Secretariat field in Uyo, The Akwa ibom state Capital.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Glory Edet noted that the exercise was to cushion the effect of the flood which affected farmers in some parts of the state in 2020, and to help them find their feet after being grossly affected.

“This is the Governor’s way of consoling the affected farmers and encouraging them to go back to work”, she said, while commending Governor Emmanuel for having the interests of farmers at heart.
“It is only in Akwa Ibom state that Government distributes inputs, interest-free loans and other support packages to all categories of farmers. He has given agriculture a pride of place in the scheme of things , and has positively touched the lives of all categories of farmers across the state. God bless him”, she prayed.

Acknowledging the role of NEMA in the exercise, Dr. Edet observed that the distribution would not have been successful without the Agency’s resolve to support the farmers.
While charging recipients of the relief materials to use them in improving their productivity, the Commissioner warned them not to sell out the materials, adding that such would be an act of ungratefulness and self-cheat.

In his remarks, the Director General of NEMA, represented by Dr. Obot commended the State government for being among the few states with landmark achievements in agriculture. He also lauded the Agric Commissioner for her efficiency in managing the affairs of farmers in the State.

Goodwill Messages were received from the President, Iban Utoiwang Akwa Ibom, Obonganwan Magdalene Udom; A representative of SEMA, Mr. Uduak Obonukut; President, Female Farmers, Mrs. Margaret Nya; AFAN Coordinator, Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, Pastor Sunday Amos; Mr. Damian Egwu, State Supervisor, NEMA and others.
Inputs distributed included: knapsack sprayers, growth enhancers, pesticides, water pump, fertilizers, maize seeds, rice seeds, and herbicides.

The exercise which has gone round the three senatorial districts of the state was first carried out in Eket senatorial district on Thursday, 30th September; Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District, on Saturday, October 2nd; and Uyo Senatorial District on Monday, October 4.