ONYEDI GABRIEL, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Government has completed the state’s cassava processing factory designed to regularly buy cassava tubers from 3000 farmers.
The state Governor, Nyesom Wike, said on Wednesday that the factory would be inaugurated in May.
A statement signed by the governor’s Special Assistant, Media, Kelvin Ebiri, said Wike spoke when members of the Management and Board of the Rivers State Cassava Processing company, presented processed cassava to him and members of his Executive Council.
Wike noted that in 2015, when he assumed office, Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), one of the shareholders in the company was downsizing its operations in the country, and it was going to impede actualising the cassava factory if nothing was done.
The governor his administration’s decision to finance the project had paid off because the project was ready for production and to create jobs.
He said: “The Rivers State Government took it upon itself, since we are trying to diversify, to make sure that this project is completed.
“We put all the funds we could muzzle and today, we give God the glory, that we have achieved it. 3000 farmers will be benefitting. If you calculate 3000 farmers making money and the multiplier effects, you’ll be talking about 6000 persons.
“That is creating of jobs and we are happy that we are doing it. Our own is not propaganda, it’s not where, everyday, government releases money in the guise of boosting agriculture and at the end of the day, you don’t see anything.”
The governor expressed appreciation to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for eventually approving money for the project saying the approval came after the completion of the project.
He said: “We did not get support from anywhere, either from the Central Bank of Nigeria, or from any bank, at the onset. I complained to the Governor of Central Bank that if there is one project that they must support it is this Cassava Processing Company.
“The Federal Government policy on cassava flour is being talked about so much. So, for a state that has shown the zeal and commitment, there is the need that it should be supported.
“Again, I spoke with the Governor of Central Bank recently and he said ok, they’re happy with us. I was surprised the other day, that they approved funds for us even though we have completed the project. But I have to still thank them for giving us loan which we are going to pay back.
“We will invite the Governor of Central Bank, and the Minister of Agriculture to come and see that ours is not mere talking.”
In his presentation, the Project Manager of Rivers State Cassava Processing Company Limited, Mr. Reuben Geisen, said they had successfully energised and test-run the factory that would produce high quality cassava flour from the installed machines.
He said: “I will like to thank the Rivers State Government and his Excellency for your patience and opportunity given us to see this project through to the very end.
“Today, we have a factory that is operational and that can benefit 3000 farmers, on a yearly basis, with a steady income by buying-off their cassava tubers. It will also have a multiplier effect across the agricultural sector as rural agriculture is still a labour intensive activity in this part of the world.
“You have provided a very stable form of income, it will give sustainability to the rural parts of Rivers State. We also want to use this opportunity to present to you the very first product from the day it was produced and give you a glimpse of it.
“The machinery and equipment were configured to produce 50 kilogram bags to key into the inclusion policy of the federal government whereby it is expected that 10 percent cassava flour will be included in the general baking flour.”