By Ovat Lawrence.
IFAD-LIFE ND COUNTRY DIRECTOR VISITS CROSS RIVER STATE AS EBOKPO COMMISSIONS PROJECTS IN URUA-NDUNG COMMUNITY.
Mrs. Dede Afoefa Ekoue, the Country Director of the IFAD-LIFE ND Project, embarked on a two-day working visit to Cross River State—her first official visit since the program commenced in the state.
During the visit, Mrs. Ekoue met with officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development before proceeding to Urua-Ndung community. She was accompanied by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, KSM.
Residents of Urua-Ndung community turned out in numbers to welcome the delegation and express their appreciation as key projects were commissioned. These included open market stores, modern toilet facilities, and a solar-powered borehole with elevated water tanks, all established by the IFAD-LIFE ND project.
Speaking at the commissioning, Commissioner Ebokpo described the projects as practical and need-based, tailored to meet the community’s most pressing challenges. He highlighted the significance of the market infrastructure in supporting post-harvest sales of farm produce, noting its potential to improve livelihoods and serve as a foundation for future development and expansion.
The Commissioner further emphasized the Cross River State Government’s unwavering commitment to the success of the program, having fulfilled its counterpart funding obligations for the first phase. This, he said, has paved the way for the second phase, which is set to commence soon.
In a media interview, Mrs. Ekoue commended the state for its warm hospitality and remarkable support, noting that Cross River is one of the few states to have fully met its counterpart funding requirements during the first phase. She announced that the number of beneficiaries in the second phase would rise from 26,000 to 100,000, significantly expanding the program’s impact in the state.
Earlier, Mr. Innocent Ogbin, the State Project Coordinator for IFAD-LIFE ND, expressed appreciation to the state government for its timely support in sustaining the program. He also acknowledged Commissioner Ebokpo’s critical role in driving the implementation process.
The event concluded with the formal handover of keys and project documents to Hon. Bassey Effiom, Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area, who was represented by the Council Secretary, Mrs. Juliet Bassey. She assured the community of proper use and maintenance of the facilities. Goodwill messages were also delivered by traditional rulers, women leaders, youth representatives, and other community stakeholders.
Also present at the event were Dr. Engr. Abiodun Sanni, National Project Coordinator of IFAD-LIFE ND, and the Commissioner for the Ministry of International Donor Coordination(MIDC), represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Anthony Effiom.
