Imo Govt, Malaysians Collaborate For Palm Plantations

Imo State government says it plans to establish two new commercial palm plantations in collaboration with Malaysian experts, to boost the economy of the state.

Governor Rochas Okorocha announced this at a breakfast meeting with the leaders of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, at the Government House, Owerri, Wednesday.

He said that Adapalm, the state-owned oil palm plantation in Ohaji/Egbema local government had been re-named Imo Palm Plantation and was being rehabilitated.

Okorocharecalled that Malaysia, the world’s largest producer of palm oil, came to Nigeria to collect palm seedlings, and noted with regret that Nigeria was still very much behind in the development of its palm oil industry.

He stressed the need to harness some of the nation’s mineral resources, saying that this would earn the country foreign exchange as well as provide employment opportunity for the people.

The governor expressed the determination of his government to make the state an oil palm producing state and called on indigenes of the state to help in creating job opportunities for the youth.

He also urged the people to support his administration to enable it succeed, pointing out that every success recorded by the administration would be a credit to them.

The governor warned that his administration would not condone corrupt practices by anybody.

In his remarks, Mr Cletus Nwaka, the state chairman of APGA, commended Okorocha’s administration for the policies it had initiated so far.

He described the policies as people-oriented, and said that they were capable of boosting the economy of the state.

Nwaka pledged the party’s support for his administration.

On his part, Mr Jacob Kasolan, the Director, Felda Palm Industry, Malaysia, assured the governor that his country would collaborate with the state government in developing its palm plantations.