Delta State seeks Investments in Oil Palm Value Chain

The Delta State Government, Southern Nigeria, has called for investments in the state’s oil palm value chain to create job opportunities and for economic development.

The Governor of the state, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, called on the state’s indigenes and Nigerians at large after inspecting an Oil Palm Plantation and Refinery under construction at Akwukwu-Igbo, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.

The Governor also canvassed more investments in agricultural development initiatives to curb rising food insufficiency in the country.

“Four years ago, the management of Norsworthy Farms spoke to me when they were to commence and I thought it a worthy venture to have the state government stay supportive and in partnership with them to develop this oil palm plantation, now with a mill already being installed.

“Where we are now is quite interesting because we have had the opportunity to go round the one thousand, four hundred (1,400) hectares of land, all planted with oil palm seedlings that have grown so much; some are already producing.

“As a state government we believe in this worthy partnership because beyond the fact that it will help to grow the economy of this environment and also help the immediate communities that are around here, we are very mindful of the fact that it is going to generate a lot of employment for our people.

“I have been told that on the average, 300 persons are working on a daily basis in this place and I believe that when the mill comes on stream, we are going to have more persons engaged,” said Governor Okowa.

He assured that the partnership would create more opportunities for outgrowers, especially in the oil palm development value chain, while urging indigenes of the state to leverage the opportunity to improve livelihoods.

Source: Agro Nigeria