Ebonyi Gets Three Salt Processing Plants

Governor Martin Elechi of Ebonyi has inaugurated three salt processing plants constructed through the State’s collaboration with UNIDO and the Japanese Government.

The Tide’s source reports that the plants are located at Uburu and Okposi both in Ohaozara, and Idembia in Ezza South Local Government Areas.

Elechi said at the inauguration recently that the plants are testimonies of his government’s resolve to industrialise the state.

“The plants would greatly reduce the rigours experienced by the women who process salt, thereby increasing their production output,” he said.

Elechi said the state wanted to take the lead in the diversification of sources of income generation away from oil.

“It is now known that the permanent availability of oil in the country cannot be guaranteed, so we want to enhance our salt and rice sectors of the economy for consumption and commercial purposes,” he added.

He thanked UNIDO and Japanese government for their collaboration and pledged the government’s continued cooperation with them.

“It is noteworthy that our intended establishment of three new rice processing mills and construction of a biomass plant in Abakaliki are all in collaboration with the Japanese government,” Elechi said.

Mr Yasayoshi Matsushida, the UNIDO Country Representative said that the plants were part of its developmental programmes in the state.

He said the programmes were expected to enhance the economic wellbeing of the women who process the salt.

“The crude method of salt processing is tedious, time consuming and of low quality while the plants are expected to improve the salt’s quality, save time, create job opportunities and generate revenue for the communities and government,” Matsushida said. Mr Auwal Anwar of the Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa, who is Technical Supervisor of the projects, said the plants could process 120kg of salt daily as against the two weeks it takes to process 10 kg, which is sold for a meagre N800.

Mrs Anthonia Agwu, President, Ebonyi/UNIDO Salt Manufacturers Cooperative Union, called on the government and the technical partners to install iodizing facilities at the sites for the produce to attain required consumption standard and enhance marketability.

Highlights of the occasion included the conferment of chieftaincy title of Osuji 1 (Revered Yam Pounder) on the governor by the Ohaozara community while different titles were given to the other dignitaries during the civic reception.

The source reports that the salt deposits have been a major source of livelihood for women in the areas.

They provided the salt needs of the South Easterners during the Nigeria/Biafra civil war of 1967 to 1970.