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The structure housing the processing mill
By Akpan David, Calabar
The Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy has expressed the federal government’s willingness to bolster the efforts of a women’s group, the Mansion of Blessedness, which commissioned a multipurpose agriculture factory in Asiak Obufa Ayanganse village in Akpabuyo LGA of Cross River State.
She stated yesterday when she graced the commissioning ceremony of Mother Elizabeth Multipurpose Factory said to worth over N85 million Naira, according to the rector of the group, Mrs Glory Oho.
The minister, represented by Mrs Angeleen Nkwocha of Child department, said her ministry was very happy that a group of women was very committed in pulling their resources together to achieve such laudable initiative.
She said the massive investment will boost food availability in the country.
“We highly commend the efforts of this group. We will do all we can to support this commendable initiative. We’re overwhelmed, knowing that you sourced this funds from amongst your group.
Mrs Glory Oho
“We’ll seek areas of interventions. We know that this factory will create jobs which will assist to lift many from unemployment.”
Head of the group, Mrs Oho disclosed that the National Assembly committee on Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, headed by Senator Ekpenyong Asuquo and Cross River Basin Development Authority, CRBDA, have expressed readiness to lend their support to the multipurpose factory.
Mrs Oho said they had tasked each member to contribute N10,000 from where they raised the initial N40 million to start the factory.
“We’ve expended well over N85 million to purchase these palm oil processing machines. We have purchased other heavy machines for pure water, garri and nuts cracking and processing machines, including boiler, extractors.
“We have started production of liquid soaps, organic palm oil, pure water and very soon. We’ll also start the garri production.
“We’ve sorted out issues with host community. We’re looking to engage 30 personnel in the first instance. We’ll give them half of the employment slots.
“Our aim is to boost security, lift our people out of poverty and provide opportunities for skills acquisitions.”
Oho disclosed that for the raw materials, they have three hectares of palm fruits plantation established in 1960 by the woman which the factory is named after, Mother Elizabeth Esu Olumba Obu of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star.
Speaking about ready markets for their products, Oho disclosed that they have already received orders from big time distributors to supply 50 drums of the palm oil.
She stated that their group was complying with federal government calls on all to return to farming and boost food security.
Chairman of Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria, OPGAN, in Cross River, Rev Nyam Bissong, represented by Mr Donatus Owan said the factory will touch lives for generations, disclosing that it will boost and transform palm oil milling business beyond the state.
He said amongst his membership, they were yearning to have modern processing plants in the state instead of depending on traditional methods.
He said his Association will be ready to give basic trainings in palm oil production, nurturing palm trees for better yields as well as branding for traceability.
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