AGRICULTURE
“Instead of selling cocoa, we want to be able to sell chocolate” — Abia State Gov. Dr. Alex Otti Says, Pledges Strategic Partnership with Anambra–Imo River Basin Authority to Transform Abia’s Agricultural Sector
The Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering commitment to a strategic and results-driven partnership with the Anambra–Imo River Basin Development Authority (AIRBDA), aimed at transforming Abia State’s agricultural sector through value-chain development, processing, and sustainable production.
Governor Otti made the pledge while receiving the Management Committee of the AIRBDA, led by its Chairman, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, at Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area. He warmly welcomed the delegation to Abia State, commending their decision to prioritise the State in their engagements and assuring them of his administration’s readiness to collaborate for mutually beneficial outcomes.
The Governor stressed that agriculture remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and a core pillar of his administration’s economic development agenda. He disclosed that his government has already embarked on concrete measures to reposition the sector, including the identification, reclamation, and revitalisation of long-abandoned farm settlements across the State.
Governor Otti explained that Abia State is deliberately transitioning from subsistence farming to a modern agricultural model driven by value chains, processing, and value addition.
“We are working on transiting from the kind of agriculture that we call subsistence farming to the value chain, all the way from primary products to secondary products, processing them into final products, and selling them.
“Instead of selling cocoa, we want to be able to sell chocolate,” Governor Otti said.
He also highlighted significant achievements recorded by his administration in the power sector, noting that nine out of the seventeen Local Government Areas in Abia State currently enjoy constant power supply.
According to him, plans are underway to extend reliable electricity to the remaining Local Government Areas to ensure statewide coverage.
Governor Otti observed that improved power supply has already stimulated economic activities across the State, particularly in Aba and Umuahia, where businesses and industries are witnessing renewed growth and productivity.
To ensure the partnership with the Anambra–Imo River Basin Development Authority delivers tangible results, the Governor announced the establishment of a joint technical committee to crystallise the collaboration. He directed the Commissioners for Agriculture, Lands, and Environment, alongside the Managing Director of the Abia State Investment Agency, to engage directly with the Authority.
He charged the team to focus on identifying practical opportunities and delivering achievable outcomes, reiterating that Abia State is open for business and firmly committed to transparent, purposeful, and result-oriented collaborations.
Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Anambra–Imo River Basin Development Authority, Senator Emmanuel Anosike, explained that the delegation’s visit to Abia State was part of a broader tour of South-East States aimed at formally introducing members of the Management Committee and exploring viable areas of collaboration.
Senator Anosike disclosed that although the headquarters of the Authority is located in Imo State, the Committee deliberately chose to commence its engagements in Abia because of the State’s strategic importance, particularly in agriculture, which falls squarely within the Authority’s core mandate.
He referenced the Federal Government’s declaration of an emergency on food security and emphasised the urgent need for strong partnerships between the Federal Government, River Basin Authorities, and State Governments to revitalise agricultural production.
Lamenting the decline in productivity on over 1,300 hectares of land previously used for rice, cassava, and fish farming across the South-East region, Senator Anosike attributed the setback largely to weakened collaboration with State Governments.
He appealed to the Abia State Government to support efforts aimed at reviving these agricultural assets for the benefit of the region and reaffirmed the Management Committee’s readiness to work closely with the State and the South-East Development Commission in agriculture and other critical sectors.
Senator Anosike concluded by commending Governor Alex Otti for the noticeable improvement in Abia State’s infrastructure under his administration and his commitment to leaving t
he State better than he met it.