The Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area in Enugu State, Dr. Eric Odo, has dismissed negative online reports criticizing his recent appointment of Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) on Agriculture.
Speaking to newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday, Odo described the appointments as a strategic initiative aimed at boosting food production and driving agricultural development in the region.
Odo explained that the SSAs were assigned specific roles focused on key crops like garden egg, yam, and pepper. These crops, he noted, are not only staples but also hold significant economic potential for local consumption and export.
“Igbo-Etiti LGA has a great comparative advantage in cultivating these crops due to favorable climatic and soil conditions. By appointing competent individuals to oversee their production, we aim to scale up output, meet local demands, and explore export opportunities,” he stated.
The chairman emphasized that the initiative aligns with broader efforts to enhance food security, create jobs, and support rural economic growth. He urged the public to view the appointments as part of a forward-thinking agricultural policy designed to unlock the area’s potential.
He said, “Their appointments are top ensure that local farmers receive adequate attention, needed resources, support and expertise to enhance production, improve market access and increase income for farmers.
“In essence, the appointment, which is wrongly misunderstood by disgruntled individuals, bad losers and opposition, reinforces my determination to creating a thriving local economy based on the strength and potentials of Igbo-Etiti’s agricultural landscape.”
The chairman also said that the decision was well thoughtout, aimed at enhancing productivity, job creation, and to uplift farmers and communities for both short-term and long-term development goals.
He urged the public to disregard any online or offline comment aimed at discrediting his laudable and visionary efforts to reposition and set Igbo-Etiti council area on the path of massive food production and sustainable development.
Meanwhile, a financial expert, Mr Kalu Aja, has commended the chairman for the appointment.
According to Aja, garden eggs has 50 per cent Return on Investment, which many investments could not offer.
Reacting to the appointment in his X handle, Aja said that garden egg was an economically important crop in the South-East and used as a substitute for kola.
”Garden egg is probably the third most consumed fruity vegetable in Nigeria and Ghana, after pepper and tomatoes.
“The profitability of garden egg farming is very high with more than 50 per cent return on investment,”he said.
(Vanguard)