The Enugu State Government and the Nigeria firm Fungtai Engineering Ltd have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), to boost the production of cash crops.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 7,221 hectares of agricultural land were mapped out at Ugwujoro, Nimbo, in Uzo-Uwani Council Area in line with Gov. Peter Mbah’s vision to ramp up agriculture and agro-industrialisation, boost security, and create employment.
NAN also reports that the state government signed another MoU with the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), for the establishment of a pre-fabricated Domestic Export Warehouse at the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo.
Speaking at the different MoU signing ceremonies at Government House, Enugu on Thursday, Mbah described agriculture as a major Gross Domestic Product-enabling sector in his administration’s effort to grow the state’s economy to a $30 billion in the next six years.
Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the state decided to utilise over 7,000 hectares at Ugwujoro, Nimbo, area bothering the state and Kogi that had hitherto suffered attacks.
“We expect that a lot of our GDP growth will come from agriculture; hence, we are aggressive about agriculture and agro-industrialisation.
“As you are also probably aware, Ugwujoro Nimbo is a border area and has been a source of security concern.
“So, in addition to what we are doing with technology to secure our state, this massive agricultural initiative will effectively occupy that large expanse of land and there will not be any room for any criminal to hibernate or launch an attack.
“As a government, we will play our part to ensure that this initiative takes off in earnest and also succeeds because it is a win-win situation for both the state and the investors,” he stated.
Speaking, the Managing Director of Fungtai Engineering Limited, Chief Isaac Chuks, said the firm was eager to launch out, describing Enugu State under the Mbah administration as an investor’s haven.
“We will make the government and the people of Enugu State proud for believing in us. We are happy the state is pioritising agriculture and de-risking investments. So, just wait and see,” he assured.
Also signing the MoU with NCAN, Mbah, described the venture to establish a pre-fabricated domestic export warehouse at the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo as a strategic move with multiple benefits for the state and the nation.
“We recognise the immense economic potentials of the cashew industry, valued at over $7 billion in the global market, and the government have deemed it necessary to engage in this value-adding relationship.
“This collaboration ensures that cashew production is processed locally, enhancing our GDP and creating significant job opportunities.
“With over six council areas suited for cashew production, we are poised for a transformative journey,” he said.
Responding, the National President of NCAN, Dr Ojo Ajanaku, assured Mbah of a reliable and timely delivery, disclosing that the relationship they were building with the state government would optimise the state’s cashew potentials.
He expressed interest to also ultimately help to revitalise the moribund Premier Cashew Industry Limited at Akama Oghe.
“We deemed it fit that we should go about this Domestic Export Warehouse to aggregate what the farmers are producing, encourage farmers to go to farm and produce more.
“We thank you for this opportunity and promise that we will not disappoint you. We are going to make sure we do what is required of us because of the experience we have in the sector” Ajanaku said.