By Sam Akanimo
Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has secured more than 100 hectares of land from Itak Ikot Udo community in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State for its agricultural scheme.The scheme is part of NDDC’s agricultural component of the Holistic Opportunities for Programme and Engagement, Project HOPE.
The Commission’s Director for Agriculture and Fisheries, Mrs. Winifred Madume, made the development public when she led a delegation of the development agency on an inspection and verification of the land donated by the community for the Project Hope rural farming scheme.Madume, who represented the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, expressed gratitude to the community leaders and all the stakeholders that had thrown their weight behind the agricultural programme of the Commission.
The NDDC chief commended the communities for partnering with the agency by donating many hectares of land for the agricultural programme targeted at the youths of the region. He promised them maximum value for the land they donated, noting: “it will be mutually beneficial and rewarding.”
The Village Head of Itak Ikot Udo, Chief David Inyang thanked NDDC for initiating this project in his community during his tenure, stating, “this project holds the promise of alleviating poverty in the area and boosting economic activities. We assure you that adequate security measures will be in place to safeguard the individuals working on the farmland.”Inyang, who expressed hope that the scheme would improve the economic base of the area, further hinted that the community will ensure that adequate security would be provided throughout the duration of the project.
According to him: ” there won’t be any security challenge to this project that is about to commence in this community. We shall employ the use of law enforcement agents made up of the army, the police, our local vigilante and the community police to forestall any form of threat to this project”
He continued that the land which is being ceded to NDDC would provide jobs and enhance the value or properties in the community.Consultant for the Project HOPE, Blessing Fubara, in his remarks, thanked the community leaders for collaborating with the NDDC in the interest of the development of the Niger Delta region.
He said that feasibility study was carried out to ascertain the suitability of the soil for agricultural purposes, adding that independent investigations were carried out to ensure that the donated land was not encumbered or in dispute with neighbouring villages.
Fubara observed, “even though we know the whole of Niger Delta is green, one of the things we looked at was the peaceful disposition of the people project. His Royal Majesty gave us his words that if we are ready, they are also ready and you can see the commitment on our part.
“Aside from that, before we embarked, we made sure we cross all the T’s and dotted the I’s. We engaged the youths, women group, market women to ensure that the land given to us is not in dispute.”
