Ebonyi State Governor, Rt Hon Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru has requested the International Fund for Agricultural Development IFAD to extend its value chain operations to cover all the Local Government Areas to deepen rural transformation.
He also promised that his administration will scale up the International Funds for Agricultural Development Value Chain Development Program, IFAD-VCDP to address the agro allied needs of the people of the state.
Governor Nwifuru spoke on Thursday when he received the IFAD Team in his office Ochudo Centenary City Abakaliki.
The Governor lauded the foresight of the IFAD mission in the state, reiterating his unequivocal stance in the agro development of the salt rich state.
Governor Nwifuru said “we thank you for believing in us and for agreeing to stay in Ebonyi State. I am sure the remaining Local Governments as presented yesterday will be included to benefit from the project.
“Let me thank IFAD for this project. This project is centered on the People’s Charter of Needs Agenda. I have seen your project and it gives me great confidence in your ability.
Let me thank Mr. President for this great gesture”
Earlier, Mohammed El- Ghazaly, Country Director, IFAD informed the Governor that they were in the state “to look at the progress that is being made by the VCDP”.
El-Ghazaly added:
“We are also here to look at how the project will be completed in few months time as we will be closing in December.
“As you know the project is being implemented for development and we know Ebonyi State will like to scale up the project. We thank you for the counterpart funds you have so far released. We thank you so much, Sir”.
The supervision mission will run till the 21st of this month.
