Tunji Adedeji
The Imo State House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture, led by it Chairman Hon Chidiebere Samuel Ogbunikpe, Member representing Okigwe State Constituency yesterday embarked on oversight function to Imo Rubber Estate Limited.
The oversight exercise held at the Rubber Estate head office along Old Nekede road was aimed at ascertaining the performances of the agency as the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee on Rubber Estate, Hon Ray Opara and other members of the committee were on ground to receive them.
Addressing the law maker, Chief Opara said the committee has made some giant strides in solving some of the problems on ground.
Opara opined that the committee has reduced the criminal activities of cutting down of live rubber trees in the Estates and stealing of products have been checked
The Chairman said the company is making gradual inroad to occupation of Obiti Rubber trees in the Estates as discussions are ongoing with the youths ,Traditional rulers and other stakeholders .Some of the company’s staff abandoned since the closure of Obiti Rubber Estate have been recalled and are participating in cleaning the Estate, he said .
He said that it is worthy of note that in a few weeks ahead the company shall resume tapping operations at Obiti Rubber Estate.
Opara further said the Committee engaged on a minor reorganization of the personnel to improve productivity, efficiency and cost effectiveness.
According to him, “The Committee has achieved relative peace operating environment in the Estate as youth restiveness and community hostilities have reduced.”
“The illegal occupation of Obiti Rubber Estate by some youths in the area since 2018 in demonstration against the unpopular management of win back Big LTD .Unfortunately, they have been unwilling to surrender the Estate to Government not even with the emergence of the new government.”
He said in order to realize the objectives for which government has shown interest in Imo Rubber Estates LTD some funds and materials are urgently needed.
He said fund for plantation – slashing strip weeding and herbicide application, operational vehicles (Hilux) for committee and Estate supervision activities, tractors, motorcycles among other’s
Speaking earlier Hon Ogbunikpe, said their visit was aimed at knowing how well the committee has performed its assigned, duties since 3months of inception of Governor Emeka Ihedioha led administration.
He assured that members of Imo State House of Assembly would not fail to amend the existing laws towards better rubber estate management in the state and in agreement with the present effort at boosting ease of doing business in the eastern heartland.
Other members of the committee present were Chief Mrs Nneoma Aladum, Sir Okangba Kevin, Chief C N Ogbonna ,Dr Iheagwam Able White,Chief Stephen Osumah, Hon Asiegbu Iheanacho, Engr Timothy Obodozie.
