Abia State Government Launches Wet Season Rice Farming Initiative, Advances Industrial Park Project
Umuahia, Nigeria – The Abia State Government (ABSG) is set to launch its Wet Season Rice Farming Programme through an In-Growers Scheme, as part of a strategic push to enhance food security. This initiative coincides with the planned commencement of construction on the state’s modular refinery in May.
Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, announced these developments following a State Executive Council meeting in Umuahia, presided over by Governor Alex Otti. He detailed that the rice farming program, to be implemented by the state Ministry of Agriculture, will aggregate farmers’ cooperatives across various crop value chains, with an initial focus on rice cultivation. The program targets the cultivation of 8,500 hectares of land in key rice-producing communities, primarily within the Abia North zone. The initial phase will involve over 400 verified rice farmers at Ndi-Okereke Abam, cultivating over 500 hectares, with an additional 150 hectares under cultivation at Owerinta. This builds on previous rice planting efforts by the state government in the region.
Commissioner Kanu stated that this model will be replicated across other state-owned rice farmlands in Bende, Mkpa, Ofeme, Ozuitem, Ndi Okereke, and Ndi-Oji Abam. He also reported significant progress among beneficiaries of the Abia State Government and CSS Farms strategic agro-collaboration program, with a success rate exceeding 90 percent. In a related development, the deadline for expressions of interest in the state’s recovered plantations has been extended to May 15, 2025. This extension aims to broaden investor participation and ensure a more robust evaluation process, attracting experienced and credible investors and managers to revitalize these agricultural assets. The Commissioner emphasized the need for a strategic shift in attracting investors, moving away from previous open-door policies to a more selective approach focused on attracting serious and committed investment.
Regarding the Abia Industrial and Innovative Park (AIIP) project, Commissioner Kanu announced that the construction of the modular refinery is set to commence in the second quarter of the year, beginning in May. He confirmed that the state government has made substantial progress on the AIIP project, including the completion of compensation payments to affected landowners. Site preparation, including bush clearing and earthworks, is underway, particularly around the modular refinery site. This follows the Federal Government’s approval for HSI to construct and operate a 10,000 barrels per day capacity modular refinery at the AIIP site. To ensure a stable supply of petroleum products within the state, especially with the Osisioma depot now operational, the state government has engaged the NNPC Port Harcourt refinery and NNPC Retails Management to secure adequate and regular allocations for Abia State.
The state government, through the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, has also commissioned a statewide study on solid minerals to determine the quantities and commercial viability of deposits across the state. These minerals include limestone, kaolin, lignite, granite, lead, and zinc. The results of this study will inform the state government’s decisions on which mineral resources to prioritize for development, paving the way for potential investor participation in the mining sector.
Looking beyond state-level initiatives, Commissioner Kanu announced Abia State’s participation in the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Bonn, Germany. He stated that this participation underscores the state government’s commitment to climate change adaptation and green energy initiatives. The conference will enable Abia State to enhance its adaptation and mitigation efforts, supported by a comprehensive technical dossier on climate change integrated responsibility.
Finally, the Commissioner announced a postponement of the enforcement of commercial vehicle registration from May to June. This extension aims to provide vehicle owners with additional time to complete their registration. Regarding road infrastructure, rehabilitation and reconstruction works are ongoing at 36 locations through direct labor initiatives, with contractors active at 31 sites for contracted road projects. The state government has also recently commenced three new road projects: the construction of the Bende-Idima-Abam Road, the construction of the Ariaria-Timber Market Road in Aba, and the dualization of the Obuaku-Industrial City Road in the Ukwa West Local Government Area.
