In line with its resolve to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) through agriculture and create employment for the youths, the Abia State Government is set to revitalise its farm estates.

Already, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Barr. Uzo Azubuike, has commenced a tour of the farm estates, some of which were abandoned while others were acquired but yet to be properly developed.

Visiting Ukwa Nkporo and Ike-Isu in Ututu in Ohafia and Arochukwu local government areas respectively on a familiarisation tour of estates located in the areas, Azubuike said the present administration of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu places premium on the development of the agricultural sector, especially with the growing need for the diversification of the economy, given the fall in the price of crude oil in the global market.

The commissioner, thanked the people for donating their lands to government and assured them that very soon, they would begin to feel government presence in the estates as soon as the modalities were worked out.

He said that government would address the problem of roads leading to the plantations, among other challenges, with a view to harnessing and developing the full potentials of the plantations and called upon them to continue to support and cooperate with the government.

In their separate speeches, the traditional ruler of Ukwa Nkporo, Eze John Mba, his Uke-Isu Ututu counterpart, Eze A. O. Igwe, the President General of Ukwa Nkporo, Chief James Ndukwe, and Elder Onouha Udeka, appealed to government to take full possession of the palm plantations to develop them and by extension, bring development to their areas. They lamented that since the lands were acquired, government has not paid compensation to the land donors nor harnessed their potentials to profit their people.

Community leaders from the areas, Prince Agwu Udensi of Ukwa Nkporo and Chief Peter Okorie from Uke-Isu in Ututu, conducted the commissioner round the plantations. They called for the provision of Police Post at the plantation to provide security, access road networks and other logistics to ensure that their indigenes benefitted from the farms.

•Photo shows Governor Ikpeazu.