Delta Governor, and Vice Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa (2nd right) and the Group Managing Director of Northsworthy Farms and Allied Industries Ltd, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, jointly pointing at the area covered by palm trees during the Governor's visit to the Farm to at Akuku-Igbo, Oshimili North LGA, Delta State
This Day | 28 August 2022
Okowa inspects N25bn oil palm plantation
by Sylvester Idowu in Warri
Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has called for more investments in agricultural development to curb rising food insufficiency in Nigeria.
He said that oil palm production was one area that wealthy Deltans and Nigerians could invest in to create job opportunities and economic development of the people.
Okowa, the vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the call at the weekend after inspecting Oil Palm Plantation and Refinery under construction at Akwukwu-Igbo, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.
He said: “Four years ago, the management of Norsworthy Farms spoke to me when they were to commence and I thought it a worthy venture to have the state government stay supportive and in partnership with them to develop this oil palm plantation, now with a mill already being installed.
“Where we are now is quite interesting because we have had the opportunity to go round the one thousand four hundred hectares of land, all planted with oil palm seedlings that have grown so much; some are already producing.
“As a state government we believe in this worthy partnership because beyond the fact that it will help to grow the economy of this environment and also help the immediate communities that are around here, we are very mindful of the fact that it is going to generate a lot of employment for our people.
“I have been told that on the average, 300 persons are working on a daily basis in this place and I believe that when the mill comes on stream, we are going to have more persons engaged.”
Okowa added that the partnership would create more opportunities for outgrowers, especially in the oil palm development value-chain and urged Deltans to key into the opportunity provided by the partnership.
He commended the Management and staff of Norsworthy Farms, the Obi of Akuku-Igbo and the people of Illah for their support and cooperation towards the successful take-off of the project.
In his remark, the Managing Director of Northsworthy Farms and Allied Industries Limited, Dr Gabriel Ogbechie thanked the governor for his support and vision for the project.
He said the project, which is a joint venture between Northsworthy Farms, and Allied Industries Limited and the Delta State Government had successfully planted over 250,000 oil palm trees in over 1,400 hectares of land.
Ogbechie said that the project will indeed contributed to the agricultural development and food sufficiency need of the country.
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The Guardian | 29 August 2022
By Monday Osayande, Asaba
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has raised concern over rising food insufficiency in the country and called for more investment in agricultural development to curb the trend.
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The Guardian | 29 August 2022
By Monday Osayande, Asaba
Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has raised concern over rising food insufficiency in the country and called for more investment in agricultural development to curb the trend.
Okowa, who spoke, at the weekend, after inspecting a multi-billion naira Agro Allied Industrial Palm Limited built on a 1,400 hectare of land owned by Akwukwu-Igbo, Ugbolu and Ilah communities in Oshimili North Local Council of the state, said that the oil palm production was one area that wealthy Deltans and indeed, Nigerians, could invest in to create job opportunities and economic development of the people.
The governor, who is vice presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said that the project, which is a joint venture between Norsworthy Farms and Agro Allied Industries Limited and the Delta State Government, had successfully planted over 250,000 oil palm trees.
Okowa said that he believed in the partnership because it would help the immediate community and the environment, adding that currently, no fewer than 300 workers are engaged on daily basis on the project.
Besides, he commended the management and members of staff of Norsworthy Farms, the Obi of Akwukwu-Igbo and the people of Illah for their support and co-operation towards the successful take-off of the project.
He also said that the construction of the 13.5 kilometres Ugbolu-Akwukwu-Igbo Road by his administration would enhance quick access to the farm for the economic development of the area.
Earlier, Managing Director of Norsworthy Farms and Allied Industries Limited, Dr. Gabriel Ogbechie, had thanked the governor for his support and vision for the project.
He said that the project was conceived about four years ago to contribute to the agricultural development and food sufficiency need of the country, adding that the company aims to expand further with the acquisition of additional 600 hectares of land at Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Council.
Also, Obi Azuka said he was elated with the recent development in his community, adding that this will create an avenue for employment and exposure to new ideas, especially for the youths in his community. He thanked the Norsworthy Farm and state government for the noble venture in his community.
Former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Dr. Ben Uwezu, who gave a brief history on how it all started, said agro allied industry limited project started four years back, which was a forest reserve that was converted into a farm by the state government via the ministry of environment.
