The Ebonyi State Executive Council has approved the establishment of state-owned Herbal Heritage Gardens across the state’s three senatorial zones as part of efforts to promote traditional medicine, medicinal plant conservation and healthcare development.
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Ikeuwa Omebeh, disclosed this while briefing journalists after the State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Francis Nwifuru in Abakaliki.
According to him, the project, to be known as the Ebonyi State Herbal Heritage Garden, will be implemented by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Agriculture and Natural Resources.
He said the government would immediately commence stakeholder engagement, identify suitable sites and develop a regulatory framework to guide the project.
Omebeh added that the state would partner with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and relevant research institutions to ensure the safety, quality and standardisation of herbal products.
He further revealed that a supplementary memorandum would be submitted within 90 days to address key issues, including product standardisation, intellectual property protection and the integration of approved herbal remedies into primary healthcare centres across the state.
The initiative is expected to preserve Ebonyi’s rich herbal heritage while promoting research, improving healthcare delivery and creating economic opportunities in the herbal medicine sector.
