The Special Adviser on Agriculture to the governor of Enugu State, Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Engr Mike Ogbuekwe, has commended his boss on his strides in developing the economy of rural communities in Enugu State.
Speaking with Jungle Journalist Media Limited, Engr Ogbuekwe pointed out that: “firstly, rural communities contribute largely to the overall GDP of the state. Secondly, the economy of the rural communities are mainly driven by the agricultural sector. Thirdly, a greater percentage of the population of Enugu State reside in rural communities.”
“It is therefore imperative that His Excellency has paid attention to these communities so that the local economy can thrive. This is evident in the over 26 kilometres road started by the Rural Access Mobility Program (RAMP)as earth roads but fully asphalted by His Excellency. This is in addition to lots of other rural roads built in many communities across Enugu State.”
He also stated: “This road opens up farm communities which hitherto could never be accessed by road. Now these agrarian communities can bring out their farm produce easily and eliminate waste, thereby increasing their income, making food more readily available and curbing food insecurity in the state.”
“This is in addition to various agriculture intervention programs through IFAD/ Value Chain Development Program and APPEALS Program. Gov Ugwuanyi has intervened in the agriculture sector through infrastructure, training and agro inputs supplies to our farmers”.
“So when you intervene in the agriculture sector, which contributes over 90% of the GDP of those communities, you are definitely improving the economies of those communities.”
Engr Mike Ogbuekwe, who is a son of Nkerefi in Nkanu East LG, has a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN). He has also earned an MBA from the Enugu Business School, ESUT.
He worked several years as a MW Drilling Engineer with Baker Hughes international in Nigeria and then the USA, before joining the public service with Anambra State Government as a member of the Economic Think Tank, the SSA on Agriculture and finally, the pioneer Director General of Project Monitoring & Management Office while serving on various Executive Council committees.