By Tokunbo2

Copyright thesun

From Felix Ikem, Nsukka

The chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State, Hon. Eric Odo, has disclosed that his administration makes over N3 million proceeds from garden eggs every week following the council’s investment in agriculture.

He made the disclosure while giving audience to the members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nsukka Chapel, who paid him a courtesy visit at the local government headquarters, Ogbodo.

He noted that when his administration initiated the move to embark on farming to boost food production and raise revenue, people made mockery of it, adding that he was unmoved and confident in the implementation of the programme.

He said agriculture remains the stronghold of the nation’s economy, noting that his appointment of a special assistant in the sector, specialising in cocoa yam, garden egg, pepper and cassava productions, boosted his morale and yielded results that elevated the image of the council, prompting other sister local governments to imitate them.

“Today, in Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area, we have 5 hectares of land where we plant garden eggs, 5 hectares of land for the cultivation of Ose Nsukka (Nsukka yellow pepper), 5 hectares for planting yams, and 14 plots of land for planting bean seeds, all on large scales. We are glad that this venture has paid us well. We make an average of N3 million weekly on garden eggs alone and this has helped in the improvement of our Internally Generated Revenue,” he said.

The chairman added that he has discovered that some youths in the area show great interest in farming and has accordingly resolved to partner with them to make food abundant for the people.

With these vested interests of the youths, Odo said his government is proposing to invest more than N500 million in the identified crops: cocoa yams, garden eggs, pepper and cassava to increase the council’s revenue generation, stressing that if he succeeds, he would be sure of paying the salaries of the civil servants every 15th of the month.

“Now that I know that the youths are interested in agriculture, I am going to make a serious investment in the 2026 Appropriation Bill to boost their interest in farming,” he said.

He also said that his administration gives priority attention to other areas of concern like infrastructural development, health, education, beautification of council headquarters, security of lives and property, digital technology, innovation and ICT, and poverty alleviation.

In the area of poverty alleviation, he said he has restored confidence in some widows and widowers in the local government, adding that over 1000 of them are in the payroll of the council, each receiving #10,000 monthly to cushion the effect of hardship. He added that the local government under his watch built three-bedroom flats for each of the three most vulnerable widows who were almost homeless.

In the area of digital technology, innovation and Information and Communication Technology, the local government boss said they are starting a standard ICT Hub, E-library and computer training for youths to give them an insight into the digital revolution and to offer prospective WAEC and JAMB candidates to prepare for their Computer-Based Tests. This was as he said that his leadership has fortified the security apparatus in the area and warned criminal elements to relocate or be ready to face the consequences of their actions.

While stating that the goal of his administration, he pointed out that he would not have achieved much if not for the level playing ground the State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, gave him.

He, however, solicited his people’s patience, support and cooperation, assuring them that he would work harder for their well-being.