The Executive Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Area, Hon. (Ophot) Felix Akposi KSJI, has commended the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Programme for its far-reaching vision in transforming agriculture and creating wealth across Cross River State. He described the programme as a bold step towards achieving food security and rural industrialisation, but cautioned that its objectives must not be derailed by political interference.
Hon. Akposi, who spoke during the Local Government-level consultation and sensitisation of stakeholders on the Cross River State SAPZ Programme held at the State Library Complex, Calabar on Friday, the 31st October, 2025, said one of the major setbacks of past agricultural interventions in Nigeria was the hijack of such initiatives by political office holders and their allies who were not true farmers. According to him, this practice often distorts the purpose of development-oriented programmes and deprives genuine farmers of the benefits meant to improve their livelihoods.
He emphasised that the SAPZ initiative, supported by the African Development Bank in partnership with the Federal and Cross River State Governments, must be insulated from political manipulation to achieve its full potential. “Too often, agricultural programmes are hijacked by politicians who share slots among acolytes in the name of empowerment. Such practices kill the spirit of the programme and defeat its objectives. I strongly appeal to all political office holders to resist the temptation to bastardise this laudable effort,” he warned.
Hon. Akposi highlighted that Akamkpa, with its vast arable land and strong presence of smallholder farmers, stands to benefit immensely from the SAPZ programme, especially in the areas of cocoa, cassava, and rice production, which are among the priority commodities for the state. He noted that the establishment of an Agro-Industrial Hub in Adiabo and the Agricultural Transformation Centre in Okuku, Yala LGA, would open opportunities for value addition, processing, and marketing for farmers across the southern and northern parts of the state.
Speaking directly to farmers and cooperatives from Akamkpa, the chairman encouraged them to position themselves to take advantage of the programme through cooperative societies, capacity building, and participation in training sessions to be facilitated under the SAPZ framework. He said the programme’s promise of job creation, improved access to markets, and digital agribusiness support could serve as a catalyst for the local economy if fully embraced.
“The time has come for our farmers, youths, and women in Akamkpa to look beyond subsistence farming. This programme presents an opportunity to build agro-enterprises, reduce post-harvest losses, and expand into processing and packaging. I want our people to key into this vision because agricultural development is now the future of our local economy,” Hon. Akposi stated.
He commended the State Government and its partners for the foresight behind the SAPZ initiative and reaffirmed his council’s readiness to collaborate in mobilising farmers, providing local support, and ensuring transparency in the implementation process. He expressed optimism that if properly managed, the programme would not only empower farmers but also enhance food security, generate employment, and drive sustainable economic growth in Akamkpa and beyond.
