The Abia State Government is set to collaborate with the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) as part of a renewed push to advance rubber production in the State and unlock its economic potential for job creation, industrial growth and exports.
Governor Alex Otti disclosed the planned partnership on Wednesday when he received a delegation from the RRIN at his country home in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South.
Describing rubber as a major agricultural asset that could significantly boost the State’s economy, Governor Otti directed the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Cliff Agbaeze, and the Commissioner for Industry and SME Development, Mazi Mike Akpara, to work with the RRIN team to finalise the details for immediate implementation.
“There is no reason for us to just ignore some of these agro-services and products, which were the mainstay of the economy prior to the advent of oil.
“So everybody facesone direction, ignores every other direction, cearly, if not in our generation, maybe in the next generation, oil would have no value”, Governor Otti said.
He emphasised the need to diversify away from oil dependence and harness opportunities in agriculture and agro-processing, noting that global moves towards zero-emission technologies would reduce demand for fossil fuels.
“Today we have seen the campaign towards a transition from emission to zero emission. If that campaign continues to succeed, which I believe will… when you have zero emission, that means you have no vehicle plying the roads that is powered by fossil fuel. That means the near end of oil”, he stated.
The Governor added that rubber production would not only raise the state’s productivity and GDP but also create jobs and stimulate related industries.
“And there will also be other downstream positives that will come from it, processing of the rubber, and packaging and exports. So, I want to say that I’m fully aligned.
“In the next few days, I think we need to sit down and flesh out all the details of where you want us to come. We can even set up an SPV, something like that”, Governor Otti added.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Board of RRIN, Barrister Alphonsus Ogar Eba, said the visit was to strengthen the federal government’s presidential initiative on rubber revitalisation through partnerships with states that have the potential to drive large-scale rubber cultivation and processing.
He pointed out that Nigeria lags far behind other African countries in rubber production but noted that the sector could be revived with renewed commitment.
“The time has come for us to see how the industrial needs and the medical needs, and even every other issue that starts to come out of rubber can be properly re-energised.
“Abia stands very tall in terms of industrialisation. We have the Akwete station here, which is one of the very substations of rubber”, Barrister Eba said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of RRIN, Mrs Lilian Nkechi Dongo, explained that the institute remains the only national agency mandated to carry out research and development in rubber and other latex-producing plants.
According to her, “We are here to see how the state can partner with us, collaborate to advance the rubber industry in Nigeria”.
She expressed confidence that revitalising rubber production would play a key role in addressing Nigeria’s economic challenges and provide sustainable employment for youths.
