Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, has inspected two major agricultural projects, the State Agricultural Equipment Leasing Company in Uyo and the 50-hectare Ibom Model Farms in Nsit Ubium, reaffirming his administration’s resolve to expand food production and ensure food security across the state.
Restating his government’s dedication to the ARISE Agenda with a strong focus on mechanised farming, food security, and grassroots economic empowerment, Eno noted that the development aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agriculture Agenda, which emphasises Food Security, Economic Growth, Job Creation, and Local Content Development.
At the Equipment Leasing Company site in Ekpri Nsukaba, Governor Eno assessed the construction of a modern facility that will include machine sheds for tractors and advanced farm tools, a well-equipped maintenance and repair workshop, as well as a training centre for operators and technicians. The project is designed to equip farmers with both the tools and skills required to thrive in a modern, technology-driven agricultural sector.
Impressed with the progress and quality of the work so far, he instructed the State Ministry of Agriculture and contractors to speed up delivery and approved the immediate disbursement of funds to ensure early completion.
Once operational, the centre is expected to expand farmers’ access to mechanised equipment, reduce post-harvest losses, raise productivity levels, and support both national food security objectives and subnational economic diversification.
At the Ibom Model Farms hub, the Governor also directed contractors to quicken the pace of work on the 7.5-kilometre farm access roads and drainage channels, stressing that improved infrastructure is vital for productivity and accessibility.
To strengthen local content development and generate employment while keeping economic benefits within host communities, Governor Umo Eno directed project managers to ensure that at least 40 per cent of new contracts are awarded to qualified firms from Nsit Ubium, as listed on the State procurement portal.
He further instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to recruit permanent staff for the daily upkeep of the farms, stressing the importance of sustainability as a central pillar of the Renewed Hope Agenda’s agricultural and job creation strategy.
The Ibom Model Farms are set to drive the adoption of modern farming techniques, create community-based employment opportunities, and boost agricultural output, thereby supporting both State and Federal food security goals.
