We’ve Achieved Our Vision In Education -Amaechi …To Unveil DATCO Cassava Plant, Dec

The Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi says his administration has achieved its mission in transforming education in the state.
He made assertion during the 18th and 20th convocation of the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori on Saturday in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area.
Amaechi said one the goals of his administration is, ”to make Rivers State the hub of education sector, not only in Nigeria but also in Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He recalled that he had inherited a comatose educational system but is leaving with a more productive educational system capable of placing the state above shoulders in the comity of states in the country.
“We have made efforts to replace the guns in the hands of our misguided and misinformed youth. Education provides the youth with windows of opportunities,” the governor stated.
Amaechi further noted that, ”the recent nomination of Port Harcourt as the World Book Capital 2014 is an unprecedented achievement that has put Port Harcourt and Nigeria in global recognition.”
He opined that education remains the bedrock of any economy, and therefore, promised that his administration will continue to give the sector required attention to build an enlightened and productive citizenry.
Governor Amaechi used the convocation to reiterate the resolve of his administration to fund higher education in the state, saying, “one thing I promise before I leave office is that I will still fund you. In my handover note, I will state clearly that government has no business in opening schools if they have no business in funding those schools. They need to fund Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Rivers State Polytechnic, including the Rivers State University of Education as well as the Rivers State College of Arts and Science.”
In line with his promise to improve quality delivery in the polytechnic, he disclosed that he has approved the employment of more teachers, and tasked management to ensure better standard.
The Rivers State governor, however, decried the decrepit condition of education in the country, and tasked the Federal Government to be alive to its responsibilities.
Earlier in his remarks, Rector of the institution, Sir Obianko Nwolu-Elechi had commended the state government for the effort to improve standards in the institution.
So far, he stated that all the programmes of the polytechnic have been fully accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), adding that, “We have, therefore, put in place a system that will ensure excellence in staff recruitment and service delivery, ensure merit and performance as the major factors for promotion and appointment to sensitive positions, and strengthen staff and students’ commitment to hard work.”
According to him, about 4,000 students are graduating from the institution, noting that, “they have been equipped with necessary skills as well as entrepreneurial abilities to fit into the Nigerian economy.”
Elechi also commended Senator Magnus Abe representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District and the Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Leyii Kwanne for massively alleviating the sufferings faced by students from the senatorial district.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi says the new cassava processing plant in Ban-Ogoi, Afam in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state will be ready for production by December this year.
He said the cassava processing plant would not only provide employment for the people but also positively influence micro and macro economy.
Amaechi spoke on Friday after an inspection tour round the cassava processing facility together with former envoy of Netherlands to Nigeria, Mr. Bert Ronhaar.
He disclosed that the facility is owned by the Rivers State Government in partnership with the government of the Netherlands and Dutch Agricultural Training Company (DATCO).
Amaechi said: “This is a cassava processing plant, and it belongs to Rivers State Government and the Dutch Government, and a company called Dutch Agricultural Training Company (DATCO).  It has been completed and is ready for commissioning in December but they need power, so we came to inspect to see what quantity of power they need so that they can start.
“It is for employment.  The fact that the farmers are guaranteed the market at a good price is essential, so you can see that both micro and macro economy is affected as they will supply to the breweries and ensure that people grow cassava and market, and those who grow cassava will be guaranteed ready market. This will enable more persons to go into cassava farming because they are encouraged by the existence of market”.
Also speaking, Netherlands’ former Ambassador to Nigeria and board member of DATCO, Mr Bert Ronhaar expressed confidence that the processing plant would benefit the people of Rivers State as well as other Nigerians.
He said the mechanized system of processing cassava would ensure maximum use of the product to produce other items in the cassava value chain with a view to boosting the state’s economy.
“I am former Ambassador of the Netherlands to Nigeria, and I have always been an advocate for the support to the technology provided by DATCO and for the benefit of the people of Nigeria because three of these units in this factory can serve up to 20,000 farmers in Rivers State and beyond to gather cassava because you know cassava is a perishable product but these machines are able to do that processing. So, they handle the cassava and make it cassava cake and the cassava cake can last for at least six months, and then the cassava cake is transported to the factory by truck but because a lot of moisture has been taken out of the cassava by these machines, the weight you have to transport from the farm to the factory is less than half of what you normally do.
“So, it is all very economical for the farmers, and will create a lot of income for the farmers to have an outlet for the factory. A lot of people will benefit from it”, Ronhaar said.
On his part, Chief Executive Officer of DATCO, Mr Peter Bolt thanked Governor Amaechi for coming on the inspection, assuring that once the processing plant gets power supply, they would start the processing of cassava.
According to him, the processing plant would roll out 200 tonnes of cassava per day.

R-L: Senator, representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, with former Chairman, Oyigbo Local Government, Hon Felix Nwaeke, Commissioner for Works, Chief Victor Giadom and member of House of Representatives, Hon Barry Mpigi, during a thanksgiving service at Dr Obi Wali Convention Centre, Port Harcourt last Saturday.

Sogbeba Dokubo