Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
The Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa has flagged off the construction of Tingo Foods Processing facility worth $1.6bn with a view of ensuring food security in the state.
True Live News reports that the flagging off ceremony took place at Onicha-Ugbo, Aniocha
North Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, the governor, represented by Prof Eric Eboh, the state’s Chief Job Creation Officer lauded the investors, stating that the project was a validation of the conducive business environment created by his administration in the past seven and half years.
He assured that the state government would continue to identify with the project given the potential benefits of the private sector agro-processing complex to the agricultural value chain in the state.
He said that the benefits of the project to farmers and people of the state was in tune with the development objectives of the state government which include job creation, inclusive growth and sustainable prosperity for all Deltans.
In his remarks, Dr. Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development revealed that the facility was one of the private sector initiatives under the Special Agricultural Processing Zones (SAPZs) programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and African Development Bank.
“This has the potential to create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and modernize the agricultural sector.
“Branding it as a shining example of what can be achieved through collaboration”, Abubakar said.
Earlier, Dozy Mmobuosi, Founder of Tingo Foods said the processing facility represented a major step forward in the quest to empower farmers, transform the food processing industry, and build a brighter future for Africa.
His words “with this facility development, we are taking bold action to address the challenges facing the agricultural sector and bringing about sustainable change to the continent and beyond.”
On his part, President of Tingo Foods Plc, Dr. Christopher Cleverly, said the facility is an agro-industrial complex that will produce a variety of food products including rice, pasta (noodles and spaghetti) , tea, beverages, beer, bottled water, biscuits, chocolate and others.
He maintained that the project also includes a storage facility to serve the factories and covers a total area of 382,600 square metres (38.26 ha).
He also said that the facility which is the first of its kind in the Africa continent was expected to be operational in 18 months and will create no fewer than 12,000 jobs.
He said the facility will also contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which seeks to end poverty, fight climate change, and zero hunger.
“Tingo Foods Processing Facility is a proud moment in our long-standing mission to provide a sustainable source of food for generations to come and empower the hardworking farmers who make it all possible.
“The project will provide a sustainable source of food for future generations and make farmers the heroes of the story”, Cleverly said.