By: © JAE MEDIA.
As part of efforts to optimize staff performance and overall productivity in the Ministry, Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, has assured staff of clusters under his Ministry of improved welfare and working conditions.
Commissioner Ebokpo gave the assurance when he led a delegation on a tour of the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) office in Calabar, where he visited all the Donor programmes situated on the premises.
Conducted round the various facilities by the Project Manager of ADP, Elder Etim Bassey, the Commissioner bemoaned the deplorable state of the offices which are still recovering from the aftermath of the devastating effects of the 2020 ENDSARS protest in the State.
Hon. Ebokpo wondered how Staff can function optimally in such an unconducive environment and stated that necessary steps to address those challenges were urgently needed for the agencies to effectively carry out various Agricultural interventions in the State.
He explained further that with Agriculture being the fulcrum of Senator Bassey Otu-led administration, a lot of profitable activities are springing up in the Ministry and the Agencies will have to be well-positioned to partner in the implementation of the robust Agricultural programmes.
The Commissioner commended the various Projects Coordinators for the achievements recorded despite their challenges, noting that it reflects the passion they have for their jobs and commitment to Cross River State. He called for further engagements with them for better approaches to addressing their challenges assuring them of His Excellency’s Support for a functional ADP programme in the state.
The challenges occasioned by the ENDSARS range from dilapidated offices, lack of furniture, and lack of power supply from the national grid.
Others include inadequate security for the premises, stationeries and other requirements for the day-to-day running of the offices.
In separate reactions, the State Project Coordinators for FGN IFAD-LIFE-ND, Mr. Innocent Ogbin, USAID Feed the Future programme, Mrs. Faith Omori, and FADAMA iv, Mrs. Eunice Nyiam Bisong represented by the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Mr. Smith Uyana, alongside their Counterpart, Elder Etim, project manager of ADP thanked the Hon Commissioner for his concern over their welfare. They all pledged to work closely with him for the achievement of set goals during and before the expiration of Governor Bassey Otu’s led administration.
