Charles Akpuenika, Ebonyi commissioner for youth and sports
development, says workers will forget they are owed salaries if they engage in
agricultural ventures as an alternative source of income.
The commissioner reportedly said this in an interview with
NAN in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi capital, on Saturday.
He said he had taken the advice given by David Umahi,
governor of Ebonyi, that people should embrace agriculture as an alternative
source of income.
Akpuenika explained that despite the challenges of 2020, he
had made money from his investments in fishery and rice farming.
He advised workers to stop depending on their salaries,
adding that they will forget they have not been paid if they heed the
governor’s advice.
“I am one of those who imbibed governor David Umahi’s advice
that people should have a second address with agriculture, providing an avenue
to enhance one’s economic status,” NAN quoted him as saying.
“My income from both investments kept booming even during
the COVID 19 lockdown and I still have no cause to complain financially like
many people.
“You will not even
remember that you have not been paid salaries when you engage in agricultural
ventures, and will also be in a position to assist others.
“I invest whatever I receive as a political appointee into
my agricultural ventures and can attest that agriculture can help people solve
their economic needs.”
Apuenika thanked the governor for his encouragement and for
providing a means for youths to be self employed and employers of labour.
“The governor’s ‘one man one hectare’ agricultural
initiative has performed wonders for several people, especially youths, who
identified with it,” he added.
“Several youths have
become self-sustaining and employers of labour and this has generally enhanced
the economic status of the state.”
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This man has just demonstrated a lack of knowledge of the civil service rules. It is misconduct to engage in any commercial form of agriculture by any civil servant. A civil servant is only allowed to have a small garden which he returns to at retirement. That's why at retirement the civil servant goes on "gardening leave". The rules haven't been amended.
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