The Enugu State Government plan to boost agriculture and grow the state’s economy has signed Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, with Fungtai Engineering Ltd and National Cashew Association of Nigeria, NCAN.
The MOU signed with Fungtai Engineering Ltd. is for production of cash crops on 7,221 hectares of agricultural land at Ugwujoro, Nimbo, in Uzo-Uwani LGA while with the National Cashew Association of Nigeria, NCAN, for establishment of a pre-fabricated Domestic Export Warehouse at the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo on 5 hectares of land.
The MOU which is expected to revolutionize agro-industrialization and create employment among others will enable the state achieve her target of growing her economy of $30bn.
According to Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Governor, SSG, Professor Chidiebere Onyia at the MOU signing ceremony held at the Government House, agriculture is a major Gross Domestic Product-enabling sector that will enable their administration achieve its target.
Highlighting other benefits of the deal, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, said the 7,221 hectares of land at Ugwujoro, Nimbo, designated for agriculture which is at the border with Kogi state will secure the area and prevent attacks hitherto suffered in that area.
“As you are also probably aware, Ugwujoro Nimbo is a border area and had 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. So, this MoU will not only boost agricultural production and agro-indutrialisation but enhance security even as it create employment,” Enugu state government explains.
“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,” Prof. Onyia asserted.
On establishing a pre-fabricated domestic export warehouse at the Enugu State Polytechnic, Iwollo which the MOU with National Cashew Association of Nigeria, NCAN stipulates, the SSG said, “We recognize the immense economic potentials of the cashew industry, valued at over $7bn in the global market, and the governor has deemed it necessary to engage in this value-adding relationship. We are very mindful of the reputation, the experience that you have, and we want to collaborate as a state to make sure we harness this opportunity in a way that there is value on both sides on the table.
“This collaboration ensures that cashew production is processed locally, enhancing our GDP and creating significant job opportunities. With over six local government areas suited for cashew production, we are poised for a transformative journey,” Prof. Onyia said.
In his response, the National President of NCAN, Dr. Ojo Joseph Ajanaku, assures timely delivery of their end, promising that the synergy will optimize the state’s cashew potentials and help revitalize the moribund Premier Cashew Industry Limited at Akama Oghe in Ezeagu Local Government.
“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 and to make it easy for our processors in the country; we believe that this collaboration will help us achieve our goal.”
“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,” Dr. Ajanaku stated.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Fungtai Engineering Ltd, Sir Isaac Chuks, applauds Governor Peter Mbah administration stating that he has succeeded in making Enugu State 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 prioritizing agriculture and de-risking investments,” Sir Chuks applauds.
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