Business
RSG Re-affirms Commitment To Oil Palm Dev
The Rivers government has put machinery in place to ensure the accelerated development of its oil-palm development initiative.
In a meeting between the State Agriculture Commissioner, Emmanuel Chinda and the land donors of 16 oil mills in the state, the commissioner told the land donors that they are key actors in the project and should ensure the smooth take-off of the project.
Chinda further disclosed that Government has appointed a management consultant to run the business in cooperation with the land donors.
His words: “The Governor de-emphasises government direct involvement in production but rather, set machinery in place and bring private sector investors and professionals into the arrangement in such a way that they can manage them effectively, government will benefit, the host community will benefit and the land owners will also benefit, and the project will continue to exist as much as possible.
He urged the land donors to be part of the management of the palm oil mills especially in the areas of employment, security and the general well-being of the business.
According to him, in managing these mills, you will be acting as custodians while government continues to do the supervision function. I also want to touch the area of staff recruitment We have agreed that Government will not be involved in recruiting the staff that will work in those mills, rather government will allow those who are managing it to take that initiative.”
The decision to create 16 palm oil mills in various communities of Rivers State is one of the state government’s projects of making Rivers State the hub of oil palm production and also generate employment.