Following the need to eradicate hardship in Niger Delta region, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its readiness to partner with an indigenous cassava starch manufacturing factory in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State to boost employment opportunities and massive food production.
The NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, who in company of some directors of the commission disclosed this during a visit to the Ebedebiri Starch Company Limited recently, also revealed that the move would promote the local industry and create employment for youths in the Niger Delta region; adding that the company would benefit from acquiring land, the needed raw materials and skilled labour.
Speaking further, Antai maintained that in line with the policy of the Commission under the various views of Managing Director of NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and the President of the country, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, NDDC would assist the firm to increase its daily production of 250,000 metric tonne daily and would also not going to relent in partnering with other non-governmental organisations with similar interest to ensure massive food production in the country.
According to Antai: “I have gone round the factory with some management staff of the commission and I can attest that the standard, location of the factory and the calibre of staff on ground would serve as good justification for the partnership.”
Meanwhile, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the factory Mrs. Tonye Ekiyor, threw more light on the importance of boosting food production in the Niger Delta region and appealed to the commission to assist the factory with facilities to enable it increase its production capacity.
She appreciated commission for coming through for them, for the show of interest; hoping that the partnership would bring the long awaited transformation to enable the factory meet up with several waiting demands.
