LG chairman defends appointment of SSAs on garden egg, yam, pepper
Story by Victor Itodo ABUH
Dr. Eric Odo, Chairman of Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area in Enugu State, has defended his decision to appoint Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) on Agriculture for crops such as garden egg, yam, and pepper.
Speaking to journalists in Enugu on Wednesday, Odo described the move as a strategic effort to boost agricultural productivity.
He explained that the appointments aim to increase the production of these crops to meet local demand and create export opportunities.
“Their appointments are to ensure that local farmers receive adequate attention, needed resources, support and expertise to enhance production, improve market access and increase income for farmers,” he said.
READ ALSO: LG chairman appoints SAs on yam, garden egg, pepper
Odo emphasised that the LGA’s favourable conditions for cultivating these crops offer a competitive advantage, making the appointments both practical and necessary.
“In essence, the appointment, which is wrongly misunderstood by disgruntled individuals, bad losers and opposition, reinforces my determination to create a thriving local economy based on the strength and potentials of Igbo-Etiti’s agricultural landscape,” he added.
The chairman further clarified that the initiative is geared towards improving agricultural productivity, creating jobs, and uplifting farmers and their communities.
He urged the public to ignore criticism aimed at undermining his efforts to position Igbo-Etiti as a hub for large-scale food production and sustainable development.
Meanwhile, financial expert Kalu Aja praised the initiative, highlighting the profitability of garden egg farming.
On his X account, Aja stated, “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 noted that garden egg is an economically significant crop in the South-East, often used as a substitute for kola and offers impressive returns for farmers.
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