Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji has said beyond food security, his administration also sees agriculture as a business venture that would take the state to the next level of industrial and infrastructural growth and development.
He assured that the industrialization plans of his administration would reduce unemployment, hunger and poverty in the state.
The governor spoke during the commissioning of a new privately owned 200 metric tons per day capacity palm kernel oil (PKO) crushing plant in Ado-Ekiti at the weekend.
Performing the commissioning of A-Bamisil Palm kernel Crushing Plant located along Ijan Road in Ado- Ekiti, Governor Oyebanji who pledged that his administration would play a supporting role for the businesses to thrive in the state 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.
He also 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 product in the state.
“We don’t have a choice as a government other than to walk this journey with you, I spoke with the Commissioner for Finance yesterday on the road that led to this place, and I said if someone can put this kind of investment here and the road will be like this 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 maximize her agricultural potential and create jobs for our teeming youth. Today’s event is another testimony to our resilience push in the actualization of our agenda for industrialization of our state through private sector investment,” the governor stated.
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 agriculture particularly in the oil palm industry.
The minister who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mr Iwora Bassey 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.
