From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
An aeronautic engineer and investor from Thailand, Mr. Rachan Fakmeh, said his country is ready to transfer rice-planting technology to people of Abia State through cultivation of rice on 22 hectares of land with the use of drone technology.
He made this known at the palace of Eze Igwe Ojike at Nkwebi Ohafia in Ohafia Local Government of the state at an economic summit, tagged: ‘Quinquennium Conference’.
Fakmeh added that with advanced technology and the presence of a river, no matter how low, rice would be harvested in large quantity in Ohafia soon.
According to him, the Thailand Embassy in Nigeria is willing to partner with the Ohafia monarchs to ensure that rice is produced as it is done in the Asian country.
Speaking, Eze Ojike, the immediate past chairman, Ohafia LGA Traditional Rulers Council said he invited some foreign and local investors for the exploration, dredging and expansion of the Uduma River in the town for hydroelectric project, rice cultivation and exploitation of the river’s aquatic life.
He said traditional rulers in Ohafia under the aegis of Ohafia Traditional Rulers Council have established a microfinance bank to offer low interest rates for residents of the council.
On how to involve the Abia State government to key into the various projects, Eze Ojike said the government has expressed deep interest in the programme.
Secretary to the Conference and Secretary of Ohafia Local Government Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze (Dr) Uduma Ezera, outlined other projects being put together by the conference to transform Ohafia.
The Vice Chancellor of Akaeze University, Ebonyi State, Prof I. U. Kalu, who gave a lecture, said traditional rulers were expected to explore and establish projects that would be of immense economic value in their communities.
Earlier, the chairman, Ohafia Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Ukoha Kalu Ukoha, had stated that the projects would be of huge benefit to Ohafia people, and every community in the state and beyond.