By Sampson Uhuegbu
The Imo State Government has recovered several agricultural tractors that were moved out of the state during previous administrations without any form of official accountability.
The tractors were traced to states including Taraba, Rivers, and Anambra, with no records to show whether they were sold, leased, or officially transferred.
Investigations by a recovery committee revealed that the equipment was not generating any revenue for the state, even in situations where leasing should have yielded income.
The development raised further concerns over the management of public agricultural assets meant to support farmers and boost food production.
Receiving the equipment, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Chief Cosmos Maduka, noted that the work of the recovery committee represents the first stage in a broader recovery process.
He explained that the final stage would include the constitution of another committee to assess and fix the heavy machinery to make them fit for use across the state.
The commissioner added that the recovery exercise aligns with the mantra of the Senator Hope Uzodimma led administration, which is anchored on Recovery, Reconstruction, and Rehabilitation, with a focus on restoring public assets and returning them to productive use for the benefit of Imo people.