Imo to partner with S/African investors to revive Avutu Poultry

ROCHAS OKOROCHA IN A HANDSHAKE WITH MR DIRK HANEKOM, CHAIRMAN OF AGRIC SOUTH AFRICA DURING THEIR VISIT TO GOVT. HOUSE, OWERRI RECENTLY - 

The Imo State government is to partner with South-African Agricultural investors to revive and improve the Avutu poultry farm in Obowo LGA.

 

Governor Okorocha made this known on Monday when he led a team of South-African Agricultural investors to pay courtesy call on the widow of the late Governor of the State, Mrs. Ahuikpeghe Mbakwe.

 

Speaking at the occasion, Governor Okorocha said that henceforth, the Avutu Poultry farm Ltd. Will be known and referred to as Sam Mbakwe Poultry Farm.

 

He said that the first civilian governor of the State, the late Chief Sam Mbakwe would continue to be honoured as long as the State would continue to appreciate the foot-prints he left behind.

 

Okorocha who was received at the country home of the late former Governor by the wife and son, Ahuikpeghe and Chief Alex Mbakwe, told his audience that Mbakwe had achieved much for the State that his administration has remained a reference government in the State and beyond.

 

Welcoming the governor, the late Mbakwe’s first son, Alex Mbakwe commended governor Okorocha for being the first governor after the late father to have shown enormous interest in both the family and the Avutu poultry farm and prayed that God would continue to encourage him.  He appealed to the governor to rehabilitate the road leading to the poultry since those going to the poultry would need good road to get there.

 

At the poultry farm, the governor regretted the long-time neglect the poultry had suffered and said his administration would stop at nothing to achieve the goal behind the establishment of the poultry, reiterating that the poultry when fully revived, would provide job opportunities to thousands of Imo sons and daughters.

 

The governor assured that his administration will overhaul the farm and also rehabilitate the State owned paint industry located at Mbaise.

 

Earlier, the leader of the South African investors, Mr. Dirk Hanekom had told the governor that they had come to partner the state government in agriculture, which he said remains a tool to unite African nations, also praising the governor for keeping the doors of his administration open for investors.

 

Speaking at a mini reception organized by the people of the area, a leader from the area, Chief Abraham Alesiro said that since 1983 nobody or any governor has done for Avutu Obowo people what Rochas has done for them.  He advised the governor to postpone his presidential ambition and seek re-election as the governor of the State.