Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, has again emphasized that Bulk Purchase Agency is an intervention exercise and not a permanent solution to economic challenges.
“The permanent solution to economic challenges is to return to the farm.”
He said he will soon, set up an Agric Committee that will support their people with seedlings so they can return to the farm.
Governor Eno stated this after he signed the Bulk Purchase Agency and Assets Management and Maintenance Agency Bills into law.
Eno, during an enlarged State Executive Council meeting at the EXCO Chambers in Uyo, thanked the leadership of the State House of Assembly for working to expeditiously pass the two bills.
He explained that the Bulk Purchase Bill, is an intervention exercise, and a response by Government to the high cost of staple food in the nation.
Although, “this is an intervention exercise, and the only way we can mitigate the suffering of our people, is to directly intervene.”
Moreover, “We believe the best vehicle for such intervention, was to set up an agency that will do a direct intervention in the market and get staple food items to our people at a reduced price.”
Therefore, “that is what the Bulk Purchase Agency seeks to address,” the Governor said.
Accordingly, “the committee will work tirelessly to ultimately make our staple food items available at drastically reduced price range.”
On the other hand, Governor said the second bill, seeks to create the State’s Assets Register.
He said the department will be different and separate from Akwa Ibom State Road and Other Infrastructure Maintenance Agency (AKROIMA).
Furthermore, this bill also seeks to create an occupational safety department, in line with what obtains elsewhere.
“We have to develop a strong maintenance culture,” he added. “We can’t allow our assets to deteriorate.”
Meanwhile, the SSA on ICT Matters, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong, afterward presented key element of the Bulk Purchase Agency’s food voucher.
Truth Live News learned that a massive publicity on the working of this process will be further enhanced in the coming weeks.
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor Ekerete Udoh, on Thursday All over the State, the people have commended Governor for his people-centric initiatives.