In line with its plans to develop the agricultural value chain in the state, the Delta State Government has reiterated its commitment to create a one-stop-shop for agro-processing industry through the establishment of an agro-industrial park in the state.

The Chairman of the Implementation Committee for Delta State Agro-Industrial Park and the Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer of the State, Prof Eric Eboh, made the assertion when he led other members of the Committee, top government functionaries and journalist on an on-the-spot assessment of the site located in Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area.

“In relation to the overall plan of this project, Agro industrial park project is one of the major programmes of his Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa and this project is supposed to serve as a game changer in the agro industrialization of Delta State. What the governor is trying to do is create in the site a one stop shop for agro processing industry in Delta State, what is called an infrastructural safe operating space where agro industries can collocate and then process agricultural commodities to different types of products for domestic consumption and export. That is the summary of the whole concept. This project started in October and is an 18 months project,” he stated.

He said the park centre has dedicated infrastructure to take care of agro-industrial services and that the sustainability of the project was ensured, stressing that it would be entirely private sector driven with a 3-Step Ownership,  the state government having 40% equity, MIRAI Agro Resources 30% and Northsworthy Limited 30%.

“This is a project that its continuity is assured; it is confirmed to be self-sustaining, economically viable and it has been validated by foreign banks. When fully established, the agricultural value chain in Delta State will be greatly enhanced, “he asserted.

On his part, the Honourable Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, pointed out that the Agro-Industrial Park Project is in line with the agricultural reforms and economic diversification policy of the state government when Governor Ifeanyi Okowa came into office in 2015.

He stated that the establishment of the Agro-Industrial Park is an indication of the state government’s determination to take advantage of the agricultural potentials of Deltans to reduce the negative effects of the sharp fall of oil prices in the global economy and the dwindling revenue accruing to the state from the federal government.

“Government after governments had continued to preach diversifications without practically doing much in that direction,” he remarked.

He advised Deltans to go into commercial farming with the view of processing their farm produce at the park when fully operational, thereby developing the agricultural value chain, prevent food wastages and bring prosperity to the doorstep of all Deltans.

Earlier, the Project Consultant to the state government on the Agro-Industrial Park, Arc. Kester Ifeadi, said the project began three years ago and had gone through thorough feasibility study before the site was confirmed suitable for the project.

He reaffirmed that the project will be completed in due time, expressing confidence that the contracting construction firm is competent and experienced to execute the project according to specification.

According to him, “The project land mass is about 220 hectares. It will have in it a rice plant, laboratories for quality control, warehouses, commercial plots, rice farm, sewage treatment and oxidation pool among others. The presence of the lake is dominant factor for the choice of site. The lake will sustain the project all year round with its potentials of generating electricity. It is a one-stop-shop and a hub for all agro-processing in the state.”

Members of the Implementation Committee and top government functionaries present at the Inspection Visit were the Hon Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Hon Chika Ossai; Hon Commissioner for Housing, Chief Festus Ochonogor; Hon Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon Julius Egbedi; the Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor, Dr Kingsley Emu; the Chairman of the Delta State Investment Development Agency (DIDA), Mr Paul Nmah; the Director-General of DIDA, Olorogun Lucky Oghene Omoru and the representative of Sequoia Group, Mr Amir Khashan.

By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Uteh