The Cross Rivers State Government has restated its resolve to establish an agro-industrial town and a stable crop processing zone in the state.

The Deputy Governor, Prof. Ivara Esu, restated this resolve on Monday at Government House in Calabar when he received on behalf of Governor Ben Ayade, the final report on the choice of site for the proposed project from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

Esu said that Ayade’s administration would establish the project for the benefit of the people of Cross River.

He said that the state government was confident in the capacity and expertise of the joint team comprising the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders to execute the project.

According to him, work will soon begin on the site for the proposed agro-based project, in view of its attendant benefit in creating jobs and reducing rural-urban drift.

A Director in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Calabar, Dr. Asibong Bassey, who presented the report, said that the Federal Government identified Akamkpa as the site for the project.

He said that 250 hectares had already been acquired by the ministry for the project.

Bassey said that the project, which would comprise a cultivation and processing facility, would also provide support to out-growers and farmers. (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Ayade.