Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti on Friday, inaugurated a privately owned 200 metric tons per day capacity palm kernel oil (PKO) crushing plant to reduce unemployment, hunger and poverty in the state.
Oyebanji, while inaugurating the A-Bamisil Palm kernel Crushing Plant located along Ijan road in Ado-Ekiti, promised that his administration would play a supporting role for businesses to thrive in the state.
He added that, his government views agriculture beyond food security, but also as a business venture that would take the state to the next level of industrial and infrastructural growth and development.
He noted that the economic impact of the venture is enormous as it will generate the multiplier effects of job creation and increase production in the oil palm industry.
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He called on Ekiti residents to take advantage of the venture and other industries being set up in the state to embark on aggressive plantation of palm fruits as the state now has ready market for the products.
“We don’t have a choice as a government other than to walk this journey with you.
“I spoke with the Commissioner for Finance on the road that leads to this place and I promised that by next year, we will do the road because we have a government that is ready to partner with serious investors.
“It is through investments like this that the state can maximise her agricultural potential and create jobs for our teeming youths.
“Today’s event is another testimony to our resilience push in the actualisation of our agenda for industrialisation of our state through private sector investment,”the Governor added.
He said that at full capacity, the factory will consume six trailers of palm kernel per/day showing the reason why it is imperative for residents to ensure provision of raw materials that will make the industry thrive.
“Any serious-minded person that wants to make money in agriculture should start planting palm kernel now because there is ready market for it.
“I am just pleading with our people that there is no way the government can employ all of us or give appointments to everybody.
“What government can do is to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
“What we can do is to plead with serious investors to see Ekiti as a good, and secure place to invest, while citizens will now produce to feed those industries and that is what we are doing,” he added.
Earlier, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, commended the executive chairman of A-Bamisil International limited for the significant milestone as a pivotal moment in the advancement of agricultural particularly in the oil palm industry.
The Minister was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mr Iwora Bassey.
He noted that the 200 metric ton capacity plant, equipped with the latest technology is a testament to promoting excellence in the sector to integrate vertically and enhance the oil palm upstream and downstream sectors.
The Executive Chairman of the Company, Mr Alaba Owoyemi, described the industry as a significant milestone in his quest for sustainable oil palm production and by extension, contributing to the opening up of the economy of the state.
“This plant is cost multimillion naira from start to finishing; I urged Ekiti residents to make judicious use of it,” Owoyemi said.
Dignitaries the event included members of the state executive Council, House of Assembly members, while Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe led the traditional rulers to the inauguration.
Also in attendance are; Commissioner of Police, Akinwale Adeniran, among other dignitaries.
