Minister urges community to utilise palm processing plant

NIGER Delta communities have been advised to make the best use of oil palm processing plants being established by the Federal Government through the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs in communities across the Niger Delta region for meaningful impacts in their lives. In a statement on Monday in Abuja, the Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Claudius Omoleyedaramola gave the advice at the inauguration and handing over ceremony of an Integrated Oil Palm Processing Plant at Umuehie community in Okwuikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State. He said: ‘’The huge investment by the Federal Government could only be justified if these facilities are guarded jealously and put into effective use such that will impact positively on the community through improved standard of living.’’ Daramola added that the establishment of an Integrated Oil Palm Processing Plant at Umuehie was pursuant to the Economic Recovery and Growth Programme (ERGP) of the Federal Government

which according to him will no doubt add value to the

palm oil being produced at that community and its

environs.

The minister maintained that the approach would

encourage more farmers to

venture into oil palm culti

vation and expand the pro

duction of the commodity

which is in line with Federal

Government’s policy on

economy diversification.

According to the him , at the modern oil palm pro

cessing plant, palm oil is

hygienically processed to

high quality standard for

both local and international

consumption; stimulation for the cultivation of more oil palm farms; earning of

more income to farmers;

reduction in drudgery and

wastages; curbing y outh

restiveness and other social

vices.

Speaking, the Spokeperson of the host community

where the the oil palm pro

cessing plant is located,

Ikennaokechukwu thanked the Ministry of Niger Delta

Affairs for accepting to site the project in their community. adding, that the factor y

would bring so much relief to their women from the tra

ditional method of process

ing palm produce which is

highly stressful.