Gov. Orji Pledges To Resuscitate Oil Palm Production In Abia

 

Gov. Theodore Orji of Abia says the state government will transform the oil palm sector of its economy to make it a major income earner. Orji made the proclamation on Thursday in Ukwa Nkporo, Ohafia Local Government Area, while handing over the Ukwa Nkporo oil palm plantation to a private investor.

 

The state government recently privatised the plantation and handed it over to A-Farms Agro Allied Industry Ltd. for development and expansion.

 

The governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Mkpa Akpu Mkpa, expressed regrets that the sector had been long abandoned.

Orji said it was regrettable that the South East region that played pivotal role in the development of the sector in the country had abandoned it.

 

“To give effect to our mission, the state has fully keyed into the Federal Government Oil Palm Value Chain Transformation Agenda.

“Some of the benefits of the programme are to close the gap between domestic demand and supply of palm produce as well as allow greater interest and concern of stakeholders within the value chain.

“The programme will also aim at increasing yield and productivity of palm trees by replacing the low yielding dura with tenera palm,” he said.

“I want to express my regards to the good people of Ukwa Nkporo who donated their land to the then Eastern Nigeria Development Corporation for oil palm development,” he said.

He said that the sector had the capacity for accelerated economic development and noted that the host community would benefit more from the investment.

 

Orji urged the core investors to discharge their social responsibilities to the host communities.

Earlier, Chief Ike Onyenweaku, the Commissioner for Agriculture, said the privatisation of the 2,659 hectares of oil palm plantation would accelerate the development of the sector.

Onyenweaku urged the investors to cooperate with the government and the host community to develop some fallow portions of the plantation covering 2,000 hectares.

 

It is important to note that the palm plantation was brought to Nkporo by Ahanyi K.O.K Onyioha  as the Managing Director of the Eastern Nigerian Development corporation.  Nkporo Union International will be working with foreign businesses to Access the additional 6,000 hecters of land available for palm oil plantation with proceeds going to the community interest and for job creation.