Taraba Govt Receives More Tractors To Boost Agriculture
By Henry Agbu
The second batch of 53 compact tractors and 173 small tractors ordered by the Taraba State Governor, Dr Agbu Kefas have started arriving the State.
Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security in Taraba State, Professor Nicholas Namessan Oliver disclosed this after a tractor distribution committee meeting held at the Governor Agbu Kefas Agricultural Mechanization Center at the TSTC in Jalingo.
He said all the twenty containers conveying the tractors are expected in the State within the week.
The Commissioner revealed that the committee on the distribution of tractors have started collecting application forms from cooperative groups.
Professor Nicholas Namessan Oliver reeled information on the application form to include signature of Chairman, Secretary and treasurer of the cooperative group including the signatures of designated local government Chairmen, traditional rulers and others.
He appreciated Governor Agbu Kefas for slashing amount to be paid on the tractors as the small tractors which cost State government nine million naira now goes for four point five million naira after initial payment of two point five million naira and forty six thousand naira monthly payment for four years.
The Commissioner further explained that the big tractors which cost seventy million naira was slashed to thirty five million naira by Governor Agbu Kefas with initial payment of seventeen point five million naira and monthly payment of three hundred thousand naira for the period of four years.
He posited that the right thing would be done despite the slight delay in the distribution of the tractors as government is poised at identifying with genuine farmers to ensure food security.
Commenting, Chairman of Jalingo Local Government Council, Dr Aminu Jauro Hassan who is a member of the distribution committee, assured Governor Agbu Kefas of the resolve of the local government Chairmen to always support his laudable programmes and policies.
On his part, the Kuru Jibu, Abubakar Mahmud thanked Governor Agbu Kefas on his peace efforts that has rid Taraba State of kidnapping and banditry and for providing fertilizers and other agro products to farmers.
He advised Tarabans to reciprocate the good intention of the governor by tolerating one another for the interest of Peace and development.
Other members of the distribution Committee that spoke are Chairperson of the National Council of Women Societies, Punarimam Daniel Atenji, representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Bishop Isaac Philip Nathan and Muslim Council, Aminu Mohammed Mahmud.
