Commissioner for Agriculture, Johnson Ebokpo Jnr (2nd R) in a handshake with the representative of Dam Tech Nigeria Limited Engr. Itinyi Isaac after signing the agreement while the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Ekpe Bassey (R) and others look on.
By Anietie Akpan
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has officially initiated a state-wide irrigation project.
A press release on Monday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Nsa Gill, said, this ambitious plan began with the signing of a partnership agreement with Dam Tech Nigeria Limited, a consultancy firm tasked with overseeing the design, study, and procurement processes essential for the project’s success.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo Jnr, who signed the agreement on behalf of the state in his office in Calabar, emphasized that this partnership stems directly from the Governor’s vision to position Cross River as a leading seed-producing state.
“This consultancy agreement places Dam Tech Nigeria Limited in charge of engineering design, studies, and procurement models needed to develop our state-wide irrigation infrastructure,” said Ebokpo.
Ebokpo highlighted the challenges that have hindered Agricultural productivity in the state, particularly the lack of infrastructure to harness water resources, especially during droughts.
“Despite our extensive floodplains, we’ve been unable to utilize this water effectively due to structural issues. This initiative aims to change that,” he stated.
The Commissioner also announced a forthcoming $15 million World Bank initiative aimed at supporting the state’s irrigation infrastructure development and credited this achievement to the state’s proactive efforts in advancing irrigation practices.
“Cross River State is now focused on commercial agriculture. We can no longer rely solely on subsistence farming with the amount of arable land we have. Our nine-point agenda prioritizes crop production and water management, to produce key grains like rice, maize, wheat, barley, and cowpea year-round,” Ebokpo added.
He assured Dam Tech Nigeria Limited of the government’s full support, saying “You have the unwavering backing of Governor Bassey Otu. We must ensure this project’s success, especially as it aligns with the federal government’s Sustainable Power and Innovation Initiative Project (SPIN-Project)”.
Representatives from Dam Tech Nigeria Limited, led by Engr. Otinyi Isaac expressed their gratitude for the opportunity, pledging to deliver high-quality results and to commence work immediately.