Rivers State Executive Council has approved the concession of existing
agricultural facilities in the state to investors who are interested in
bringing their expertise to bear in harnessing the potentials in the
sector.
At its meeting held on Thursday, June 4, 2020, that held at Government
House Port Harcourt, which was presided over by the state governor,
Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the council said the decision is predicated on the
fact that the state is been driven to become the agricultural hub in the
south-south region.
Addressing journalists after the meeting, Rivers State Commissioner for
Agriculture, Dr. Fred Kpakol said such investors will be expected to
indicate interest in any of the agricultural facilities existing in the
state.
He said there are fish farms and multi-crop school-to- land farms in the
23 local government areas of the state including the Songhai Farms that
are now available for investors who want to key into the agricultural
programme of the government to achieve food security and generate
employment for Rivers people.
The commissioner also said the name of the cassava plant at Afam, Oyigbo
local government area of the state has changed to Rivers Cassava
Processing Company limited.
Dr. Kpakol said the change became necessary because one of its partners,
Datco changed the name it used in 2011 on the contractual agreement,
which made it cease to be a recognized entity.
According to him, the equity shareholding of the partners in the
investment still stands at 70% for Rivers State Government, Datco has
28% and SPDC 2%.
Also addressing journalists after the meeting, the Rivers State
Commissioner for health, Professor Princewill Chike said after the index
COVID-19 case was recorded, the state government had taken measures to
contain the spread of the virus in the state.
The success of those measures, he said, is evident in minimal spread
seen.
Prof. Chike said the testing capacity of the state has also been
boosted with the acquisition of testing machine by the state government,
which now aids the collection of more samples daily.
Commissioner for special duties, Dr. Thomas Bariere said the council
also approved the opening of the Ogbum-nu-abali Fruit Market for daily
business activities beginning from Monday 8th June 2020.
He said allottees have been issued designated bank accounts into which
to pay the required shop allocation fees and any person who failed to
pay within the stipulated time will risk losing ownership.
Dr. Bariere stated that all traders and members of the public going to
do business at the market must observe all public health and safety
standards including the use of face masks.
He said there will be handwashing facilities provided at the entrances
of the market for use by people going to do business there, including
the use of hand sanitizers and physical distancing must not be
compromised.
On his part, Rivers state commissioner for information and
communications Paulinus Nsirim said the council has also approved
guidelines to adopt by members of the public who want to bury their
loved ones during this period of COVID-19 pandemic.
He urged those who want to bury their loved ones to apply to the
ministry of health to obtain the guidelines that have clearly spelled
out what they should do and the attendant sanctions to incur should they
violate any of the guidelines