Imoke Commissions Palm Oil Mill

Cross State Governor,  Liyel Imoke,  has inaugurated an ultra-modern palm oil mill in Ekong-Anaku, Akamkpa Local Government.

At the inauguration ceremony, Imoke stressed the need for partnership among the community, government and private investors on the mill for the development of the area.

He said there was great economic value in the agricultural sector, which, he noted, also had the potential to create jobs.

The governor said the state government would collaborate with Obasanjo Farms to transform the area by creating wealth.

Speaking at the inauguration, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Chairman of Obasanjo Holdings Ltd. which built the mills, said the farm was a product of a challenge received from Malaysia.

He said he was encouraged by the effort of the community in the building of the mill and urged the people to pay attention to agriculture.

Obasanjo said that since there was an evidence of famine and food shortage all over the world, the fight against hunger must begin in earnest.

Mr Celestine Awor, the Chairman, Obasanjo Farms Committee of Landlords, said the building of the mill had informed the construction of a bridge across the Ikpan River by the company.

He said that employment had been given to indigenes of the various landlord communities in addition to the emergence of business developments in the area.

He expressed gratitude to Obasanjo for investing in the area and urged him to make the place his dwelling home.

The Chairman of Akamkpa Local Government Area, Mr Dennis Nkiri, described the mill as a product of astute demonstration of courage and spirit of entrepreneurship.

Mr Daniel Atsu, the Group Managing Director of Obasanjo Holdings Ltd., explained that “the new 40-tonne per hour palm oil mill uses the latest technology known as Self-Discharge Vertical Cyclinder’’.

He said the mill was fully automated and was the first of its kind in Africa and the fifth in the world.

He also said that the company intended to expand its operations to enable it to generate employment.