In the face of challenging economic circumstances, innovative leadership is paramount. This very essence propelled the Akwa Ibom State administration under Governor Umo Eno to establish the Bulk Purchase Agency, AKBPA, in response to pressing needs.
Inspired by President Franklin Roosevelt’s American New Deal during the 1929 economic crisis, Governor Umo Eno is spearheading the “Akwa Ibom New Deal” to tackle the current economic hurdles comprehensively. Echoing the principles of relief, recovery, and financial reforms, this new initiative is structured for short, medium, and long-term impacts.
In the IMMEDIATE STRATEGY, the plan involves the distribution of essential goods like beans, garri, and rice to the underprivileged across the 31 local government areas, a vital step towards easing their struggles. Governor Umo Eno swiftly put this plan into motion by deploying Personal Assistants in every ward to oversee the distribution process.
The recent launch of the Free Food Program on March 26th was met with enthusiasm as Local Government Chairmen collaborated to dispense food vouchers, resonating a wave of relief and joy throughout the state.
Transitioning to the MID-TERM VISION, the focus is on ensuring the accessibility and affordability of essential commodities beyond food staples. The Bulk Purchase Agency is poised to procure and distribute a range of goods, from cement to roofing sheets, fostering economic stability in Akwa Ibom.
To curb market manipulations like hoarding, the Agency will maintain secure warehouses and offer fair pricing, thwarting inflation and economic disruptions caused by such practices.
Furthermore, the government’s allocation of interest-free loans totaling N1.5 billion across the three senatorial districts aims to bolster market traders, particularly in the food sector, lessening the burden of high-interest loans and transportation costs, ultimately stabilizing market prices.
Looking towards the LONG-TERM STRATEGY, Governor Umo Eno advocates for a return to agriculture through the “Operation Back to Farm” initiative. Encouraging widespread participation in farming, including government officials, this campaign seeks to enhanc food production, reduce prices, and combat hunger by reviving the tradition of household farming, reminiscent of a time when home gardens supplied the community’s staple foods.
The government acknowledges the challenges faced by those interested in farming, such as limited land availability and reluctance to cultivate. To address this, a committee has been established to provide free seedlings, hectares of land, and interest-free loans to farmers.
Governor Umo Eno has exciting plans ahead, including the launch of “Farmers with Swag” for agricultural students, offering them land, tools, seedlings, and interest-free loans to kickstart their farming ventures.
In a bid to support farmers further, the Governor has pledged that in case of surplus produce without enough buyers, the Bulk Purchase Agency will step in to purchase the excess at fair prices.
This comprehensive strategy aims not only to boost local agriculture but also to attract traders from outside the state, fostering food exchanges and potentially exporting goods for foreign exchange earnings, as affirmed by the Governor.
In conclusion, Governor Umo Eno’s commitment remains unwavering: to ensure food availability, affordability, and price stability for the people of Akwa Ibom State.
Truly, a transformative deal in the making!
✍Daniel David Edon
