The Federal Government, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); Assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), has commissioned a Cassava Processing Plant in Uli on Thursday November 19th, 2020.
The auspicious event was attended by prominent sons and daughters of Uli, like Ichie Ozzy Igbonwelundu, Hon Obioma Mbanefo, SSA to the governor on agriculture, Ichie Ifeanyi Orjiako, Bar Eze Okezie, Chijioke Nzeribe, Hon Emeka Okezie, alongside other eminent stakeholders, political appointees, councillors and elders of Uli.
Speaking at the event, the Okosisi of Uli who represented the king’s palace at the event said he was highly impressed with the seriousness with which the project was executed.
He appreciated both the Federal and State Governments for expanding on the agricultural development of Uli, explaining that Uli had over one thousand hectares of land which the people used for cultivating cassava, rice, beans and yam, and that the major challenge besetting the people was the lack of good bridge to access the said hectares.
Futhermore, the Okosisi of Uli passionately appealed to the government to construct a standard bridge for the community, to ease up farmers’ troubling access to the land.
The State Programme Coordinator of the IFAD, Assisted Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), Mr Nnamdi Emmanuel Agwuncha, noted that the project was justified based on the great role Uli Community is playing in the production of cassava. Thus, emphasizing on the need to remodel the cassava processing site.
This plan, according to him, would further help the youths and women to become breadwinners of their respective families, and equally contribute to the overall development of the community.
The Transition Committee Chairman of Ihiala, Engr. Obi expressed immense gratitude to the Federal and State Governments for boosting the agricultural morale of the Uli people, towards the betterment and development of the community and the State.
Engr. Obi did much in appreciating the noble people of Uli for their receptive efforts whilst also appealing to the government for provision of solar panels to help boost power and water supply at the site.
Responding , the National Programme Coordinator of VCDP, Mr Garba Bala who also represented the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and IFAD, assured the good people of Uli that solar panels would be provided by next week, stressing that the water supply would be constant and stable, when eventually installed.
Mr Bala however urged those in charge of this gracious iniative to ensure that women and youths were included in the production processes.
While eulogizing the government’s generous efforts to the Uli community, the Permanent Secretary of the State’s Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Stephanie Keri-Uzor commended the UCDP for creating a positive impact on farmers’ livelihood and community welfare, thereby enhancing economic improvement of the State.
Mr Matthew Ohaezukosi, who spoke on behalf of the PG of Uli, Mr Tobias Obiagazie, also promised that the entire Uli Community would properly make very good use of the remodelled cassava processing site, whilst assuring the people of their safety, as well as maintenance of the equipment on the site.
Joyfully, one of the beneficiaries expressed sincere appreciation to the State’s Programme Coordinator, Mr Agwuncha, for facilitating the construction of the cassava processing site in Uli, urging the local farmers to form cooperative societies, so as to easily access government’s grants in future.
Mr Enzo Nzeribe also took the patriotic opportunity to extol the good works of President Buhari especially in the South East region, stressing that the president genuinely would continually have the development of the entire country at heart, irrespective of tribe and political affiliations.
Mr Enzo also thanked Governor Willie Obiano for attracting agricultural developments to Uli and promised that the good people of Uli would live up to expectations as usual.
