By Ebriku John Friday
…says work on Okuku-Okpoma road begins next week
The Cross River State digital Governor, Sir Ben Ayade has approved funds for outstanding payment of rice farmers and palm oil traders who are yet to be paid from the concluded 2019 Northfest.
The Director-General Cross River State Due Process and Price Intelligence Bureau, Barr Alphonsus Ogar Eba who stated this on Saturday, extend the apologise of the state government to the farmers and traders for the delay.
This is just as the DG has assured that contractors handling the Okuku-Okpoma Dual Carriageway will continue work on the road next week.
Though he didn’t specify the amount approved by the governor, but it was gathered that over N60 million has been fixed for the outstanding payments. It was also gathered that N100 million had previously been expended for yams, yellow maize, soya beans, Garri, benesseed, melon etc.
He said, “Please, extend our apologies to Yala Rice and palm oil farmers and traders whose monies are yet to paid that Governor has approved the balance of payment and farmers will be paid very soon.
On the dual Carriageway he said, “In the same vain, work on okuku – okpoma dual carriageway to continue next week.”
The 2019 NorthFest edition is an annual event introduced and sponsored by the Governor Ayade-led Administration was organised on December 8 last year.
It is believed that the latest development from the DG will no doubt raise the hopes of the rice farmers and palm oil traders.
It would be recalled the 145km road project is handled by Sydney Construction, spanning across the five local government area of northern Cross River.
