The Abia State Government says it is sourcing for N1 billion agricultural loan for farmers in the state, even as it has banned all forms of touting across the state.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Bonnie Iwuoha, disclosed this on Friday while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the Executive Council (EXCO) meeting held on Thursday. He also said the production lines of Golden Guinea Breweries located in Umuahia and Aba International Glass Industry would soon roll out products.

“The state is sourcing for N1 billion agric loan from the Central Bank of Nigeria, purely for genuine farmers,” Iwuoha said. “It is not going to be used for political patronage. It is not going to be used for relations, kiths and keens of political office holders; it’s going to be given to farmers who are true farmers because the loans will be repaid at the appropriate time,” he added.

The commissioner said that going by the resolve of the Dr Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration to embark on massive agricultural development and to ensure that every Abian embarks on crop production, especially palm produce, “the Council directed the Ministry of Agriculture to present to it a detailed programme that will engender effective revolution in the agricultural sector of the state’s economy.”

According to him, the programme is expected to ensure the realisation of food security, youth empowerment and economic empowerment of all citizens, both young and old.

The commissioner said that government was not at ease with the level of touting in the state, prompting the EXCO to vow that anyone arrested for touting would be prosecuted.

“The Council frowned at the level of touting in the state and, therefore, has placed a ban on touting in every part of Abia State. Henceforth, any tout that is arrested would be prosecuted.

So, in Aba, in Umuahia, in ohaifia and in all the local government areas, touting will no longer be tolerated. As a matter of fact, this government has pronounced zero tolerance for touting,” he declared.

On sports, Comrade Iwuoha said Abia would embark on massive development of the sector. His words: “In this direction, the Commissioner for Sports and the Sports Ministry have been directed to produce and present to Council, a programme for grassroots sports development.

“The decision of Council is to ensure we encourage development of sports at the grassroots, at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels, so that our youths, instead of loitering about or engaging in crimes and doing things that are lawless, would channel their energies towards sports development which will also enhance their mental alertness.”

Comrade Iwuoha expressed optimism that moribund Golden Guinea Breweries and the International Glass Industry, Aba, would resume operations very soon. “As a matter of fact, the International Glass Industry, before the end of two weeks, would have rolled out the first set of products,” he said, adding that “Council directed the Commissioner for Industry to visit the International Glass Industries, Aba, and have a thorough assessment of the extent of work there and to also report back.”

On education, Comrade Iwuoha said the state, deploying funds from the Universal Basic Education (UBE), has mapped out plans to renovate dilapidated primary and secondary schools in the state before the end of the year.

•Photo shows Abia Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Bonnie Iwuoha.