By: Iloke, Egbe
In furtherance to its people's first mantra, Cross River State Government has organised an inception workshop to mark the official commencement of the Food System, Land Use and Restoration Impact Program (FOLUR-IP).
The event which was held at the Council of Chiefs Chamber, Calabar the State's capital recently, was designed to bring stakeholders in the project (Cocoa and Oil Palms), together to ensure that everybody understands his or her role in the implementation and operational policies which will guide the process.
In his welcome address the Commissioner, Ministry of International Donor Coordination, Hon Dr. Hippolatus Lukpata said the State feels excited and view it selection to participate as a mark of honour bestowed on the State by the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria which is the operating partner of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and are the implementers of Global Environmental Facilities funding FOLUR-IP in Nigeria.
According to the Commissioner, the State Government under the able leadership of His Excellency, Senator. Prince. Bassey Edet Otu takes FOLUR-IP project very and dear and is ready to demonstrate more commitment through the provisions of Security and conducive atmosphere to enhance it smooth operations in the State.
FAO and GEF is promoting integrated Landscape Management and sustainable Food in the Niger-Delta region of Nigeria using FOLUR-IP as a vehicle to implement the pilot phase in the two selected States of Cross River and Ondo.
In Cross River, the project is domicile in 8 Local Government Areas of Akpabuyo, Odukpani, Biase, Obubra, Ikom, Etung, Boki and Ogoja respectfully, while additional component of Forest Reclamation and Restoration will take place in Akamkpa and Boki LGAs.
The project is targeting players in Cocoa and oil palm value chains which includes farmers, processors and marketers of the two crops with the aim of standardizing it to meet export requirements.
Earlier, the Chief Technical Adviser to the project, Prof. Adebayo Shittu and Mrs. Nifesima Ogunkila, representing FAO team in her key note address, reflected pertinaciously on the objectives and design of the project including the funders from the participanting and host communities.
National Project Coordinator, Prof. Oladapo Akinyemi highlighted on the project governance and institutional arrangements including development of integrated landscape management system component phase 1, conservation and restoration of degrated forest ecosystem in component phase 3.
Highlights of the event were presentation of goodwill messages from members of the State Executive Council, the Cross River State Council of Chiefs represented by HRM. Otu F. E. Akandu, Paramount Ruler of Boki LGA, Chairman CRS House of Assembly committee on Agriculture and Development Hon Bette Obi, Permanent Secretaries, MD/CEO of NGOs and Faith Based Organizations.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Mr. Johnson Ebekpo acknowledged the potentials in the Agriculture Sector which they noted is capable of transforming the socio-economic landscape of the state if properly harness using modern technology.
