C'River Farmers Association Advise Citizens To Brace Up For Hunger
By Ndifereke BASSEY
Cross River state chapter, of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has advised the citizens to brace up for hunger as government is paying lip service to food security.
The state chairman of the association, Mr Nathaniel Ellem, who gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Calabar, hinted that all the talks of addressing the challenges bedevilling the agriculture sector in a bid to ensure food security in the state were only mere rhetorics.
He noted that with the planting season ongoing, farmers in the state have not got any form of assistance from the government, adding that the farmers are ready but are handicap in terms of support for the authority.
"They made so many promises to assist the farmers shortly after they came into office and I as speak with you, the kingdom have not come.
"We heard about the talk of tractors, loans and other inputs and implements, there is no sign that these things will come to fruition anytime soon and the season has taken off with the rains here.
"For me, the present food crisis will be a child's play compared to what will happen next. The people should prepare for more hunger," he stated.
Speaking on the loan issue and the plan to purchase tractors by the government, he said: "We are tired of always submitting names without action. It's same with the federal government. As for the tractors, we are yet to see nothing as promised."
Reacting, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Erasmus Ekpang, has called the farmers be patient as government is not relenting on the promises to the boost food security.
On the purchase of tractors, Ekpang said: "The bond to buy these tractors was only signed about three weeks ago.
"These things don't come to fruition immediately, it takes time. Even when the tractors come, it will not just be handed over immediately without going through to process."
