FG To Rehabilitate Anambra Rice Mill

The Minister of Water Resources, Mrs Sarah Ochekpe, has pledged the Federal Government’s commitment to rehabilitate the abandoned rice mill at Omor in Anambra State.

Ochekpe gave the commitment during a tour of abandoned projects billed for rehabilitation in the state.

She said that the revamping of the mill was to support the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) of the present administration.

The  project, abandoned for over 18 years under the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project (LAIP), had the capacity of milling 3.3 tonns of rice per hour.

The mill comprised the receiving and drying section of a capacity of 130 tonns per day.

It also had parboiling and milling section of 3.3 tonns per day and storage silos of 3,000 tonns capacity.

Ochekpe said the intention of President Goodluck Jonathan was for Nigeria to stop the importation of rice in the next two years.

“The Federal Government would put heads together with the State Government and support whole heartedly to make sure that the rice mill starts working. “The Intention of the President is to stop the importation of rice from other countries because LAIP has the capacity to provide rice for the country,” she said.

She urged the people of Omor not to relent in their farming activities in spite of the challenges they faced due to lack of irrigation facilities.

Ochekpe said work had started on the site in terms of repairing the feeder roads and irrigation channels adding that a new scheme would be constructed to bring water into the irrigation project.

According to her, the 3,850 hectares of land for production of rice in the area would be cultivated both in rainy and dry season on completion of the projects.

The minister explained that reviving the mill and irrigation channels would create job opportunities for the youth, yield income and improve the livelihood of the people.

“I believe with the completion of the irrigation scheme and revitalising of the rice mill, many jobs will be created and the standard of living of the people will be improved. “She said it will also contribute to the economic growth of the entire country.”

Ochekpe called on the people of the community to live in peace  and cooperate with the government to ensure sustainable development in the area.

She said government would appreciate if more lands could be made available for the construction of irrigation sites.

The Managing Director, Anambra/Imo River Basin Development Authority, Mr Onyinye Eluwa,  thanked the minister for her visit and assured her of their cooperation.