…as Obot Ndom Village get brand new 300KVA transformer
The provision of basic amenities in the rural communities is one of the measures of improving the quality of lives in the area, by extension a move to discourage rural-urban drift. A rural area which is endowed with good road network, pipe borne water, electricity and other amenities, will have a large population of the people residing and engaging in gainful business ventures.
On the strength of the above fact, over the years different communities, corporate organization and government at all levels have indicated interest in this essential aspect of development. This has informed the merging of the ministry of agriculture with that of rural development. The idea was borne out of the fact that, since agriculture is predominantly practiced in the rural areas, developing the rural communities will encourage agricultural production, reduce post harvest losses, improve livelihoods, among other benefits.
An indigene of a farming community, Obot Ndom who has spent most of his life in the area, Mr. Isaiah Uyeh, said the community though connected to the national grid, had in years past experienced difficulty in power supply, since they were sharing a transformer with the neighbouring village, Ananamong.
“We have had electric power in our village, like other places, however, it became difficult for us to make use of the power, due to low voltage. The transformer feeding us was sited in a nearby village, Ananamong. It really affected the smooth running of our small scale businesses that are dependent on electric power. We had made several attempts on our own, contacted organizations to procure a transformer, but it did not work out. The government has done well in providing the transformer. We will continue to support the ARISE AGENDA to enhance agricultural production and rural development in the State.
According to the women leader, Mma Unwana Ukpai, the high cost of petroleum products has really affected us. We now have a transformer to step up power supply, life in the village will be worthwhile, so we sincerely appreciate the government.
The village Head, Obot Ndom, Chief Samuel Udo said having been a member of the transformer committee, it was difficult to acquire one in the past, but the intervention of the Commissioner of Agriculture has earned the area a brand new 300KVA transformer.
“I urge my subjects to live in peace and unity, so as to enjoy the provisions of government in the community and the ones to come. If we live in hatred and rancor, development will not thrive in our area. We will protect the transformer to serve the intended purpose,” Udo noted.
Commissioning the 300KVA transformer, the Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture & Rural Development, Dr. Offiong Offor said the ARISE Agenda whose main focus is on driving the economy through agriculture and rural development will be realised in all the different local government areas in the State, as exemplified in this.locality.
Offor who was flanked by her spouse, Dr. Samuel Offor and other dignitaries maintained that, the gesture is to develop our rural communities in line with the ARISE Agenda.
She charged the community to take full ownership of the facility, as government will continue to provide more development projects in the Local Government Area and across the State, as a whole.