Honourable Bassey Akiba, member representing Calabar and Odukpani Federal Constituency, distributed cassava stems to constituents in Okoyong, Odukpani LGA, as part of a farming empowerment initiative. Each beneficiary reportedly received ten cassava stems during the exercise.
The gesture has since generated criticism among residents, with some describing it as symbolic and insufficient to make any meaningful farming impact. Questions were also raised about the timing and source of the intervention materials.
A constituent, Comrade Ikposa, claimed the cassava stems and fertilizers were part of a Federal Government agricultural support programme approved earlier and routed through lawmakers. He alleged that the materials were released late and are now being shared close to the election season.
Ikposa further alleged that the stems had been stored for over a year and had dried up, adding that the current weather conditions are not ideal for planting. He argued that such handling reflects broader challenges in grassroots governance.
One of the beneficiaries, Doris Affia, said she accepted the stems out of courtesy, questioning how much farming could be done with the quantity provided. However, a supporter, Hoe Ita, defended the lawmaker, saying the distribution showed effort where some believe none had been made.
Attempts to reach Honourable Akiba for comments were unsuccessful, as calls placed to him were not answered at the time of reporting.
