To boost the supply of raw materials for the State owned Coconut Oil factory, Governor Udom Emmanuel has flagged off the planting of additional 300,000 seedlings inorder to meet the 2M seedlings target before the end of the year.
At the event to mark the state’s 2022 Coconut Day Celebration, Tuesday at Itu Mbonuso in Ini Local Council, Emmanuel described the coconut planting exercise as the hallmark of activities held to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the state.
The governor expressed optimism that the State would become an economic hub with the availability of raw materials to boost production at St Gabriel’s Coconut Oil Factory in the state.
“In all the activities to mark the 35th State Anniversary, this is one of the most remarkable, today we want to commission the first phase in this Local Government. Based on the survey that we have done, Ini will give us a very high yield with hybrid coconut.
“As announced all over the 31 Local Government Areas we are planting 300 thousand coconut seedlings same time between now and 2pm.Our target before I handover the baton to the incoming governor is to plant two million coconut seedlings and before December we will meet that target.” He assured.
He called on the community to protect the project, explaining that the coconut plantation would generate income to the state as virgin coconut oil sells higher than crude oil at the international market.
Earlier in her remark, state Commissioner for Agriculture Dr. Mrs. Offiong Offor thanked Governor Emmanuel for facilitating the project which she said would help in increasing raw materials for the coconut oil factory.
Offor added that many job opportunities would be created for the youths and income would be generated throughout the planting and production process of the coconut oil.
In a goodwill message, former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Dr. Glory Edet lauded the innovations in agricultural sector by Governor Udom Emmanuel, adding that the vision to plant coconut would encourage the availability of raw materials to further boost the Coconut Factory production.
Paramount Ruler of the area, Edidem Etim Umoette, commended Governor Emmanuel for the various developmental projects put in place across the state adding that the huge investments in agriculture remained a panacea for food sufficiency.
Coconut Oil Refinery: A’Ibom targets 2M coconut trees
To boost the supply of raw materials for the State owned Coconut Oil factory, Governor Udom Emmanuel has flagged off the planting of additional 300,000 seedlings inorder to meet the 2M seedlings target before the end of the year.
At the event to mark the state’s 2022 Coconut Day Celebration yesterday at Itu Mbonuso in Ini Local Council, Emmanuel described the coconut planting exercise as the hallmark of activities held to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the state.
