*The ongoing electronic payment to agents and food vendors for redeemed food vouchers given to vulnerable members of the society under Governor Umo Eno”s Food Security Programme is to be rounded off tomorrow, Saturday 27th April, 2024 at the Uyo office of Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency located in Ewet Housing Estate.
*Recall that vendors from Uyo Senatorial District took their turns yesterday, Thursday the 25th of April, while those from Ikot-Ekpene Senatorial District had their day today, Friday, 27th.
Those from Eket Senatorial District will have their day tomorrow, Saturday 28th at the agency’s office in Uyo.
*The team at the Akwa Ibom State Bulk Purchase Agency led by the Chairman, Rt. Hon. Dan Akpan, the General Manager/Secretary, Hon. Unyime Etim, SSA to the Governor on ICT, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, the Accountant and other supporting staff from the agency were on hand to ensure a smooth verification and payment exercise.
*Also, more agents and food vendors across the 31 LGA’s are being captured by the agency as part of efforts to strengthen and expand the food distribution capacity in the entire State inline with the ARISE FOOD SECURITY PROGRAM OF HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR UMO ENO.
*Speaking with newsmen at the end of the payment and documentation excercise for day 2, General Manager/Secretary of the agency, Hon. Unyime Etim who applauded Governor Umo Eno for his magnanimity, described the turnout so far as impressive, noting that it was an indication that the people are embracing the State government’s initiative aimed at making life better for the vulnerable person’s in the society, and are ready to partner the Bulk Purchase Agency to achieve it’s mandate.
*He also listed the short, medium and long term plans of the agency which goes beyond the free food distribution towards ensuring food availability at affordable prices to the citizenry through a sustainable partnership with farmers across the State.
“We are encouraging people to back to farm. As you are aware, the planting season has begun. We will ensure that when it’s harvest time, the agency would come in and ensure that what you harvested are not wasted. We will buy them (off-take) the farm produce at good prices, warehouse, process them and sell at affordable prices to the public”.
The agents and food vendors including, Amaitem Peter Ekpenyong, a food dealer at Ivan Obot Enen in INI Local Government Area, Maria Thomas Ekereke from Abak, Obonganwan Ekaette Eseme Joshua, a food dealer at Abak market, Linus Afangideh, a supplier from Ward 1, Ikot Ukpong in Obot-Akara local government area, and a host of others who received payment at the agency’s office, expressed satisfaction, describing the process as transparent.
They thanked the Governor and management of the Bulk of the Bulk Purchase Agency supporting their business.
