- Commissions Plantain Flour Processing Facility In Ndokwa East
BY SAM DUVWODE
Delta State Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme has urged Deltans in the diaspora to return home and invest in projects that add economic value to the state, describing a newly commissioned agro-processing facility in Aboh as a model for such initiatives.
Sir Onyeme made the call, today, during the official commissioning ceremony of the Plantain and Flour Processing Facility at the New Mill Raymond Estate along the Aboh-Kwale Road in Ugbeme Aboh, Ndokwa East Local Government Area of the state.
“This is a very rare one, something I know that, over the years, both within and beyond our land, we have been yearning for our sons and daughters to come back home,” the Deputy Governor said.
“If you travel outside and you see something good, the proper thing to do is to learn it, copy the good ideas, and bring them back to your place so that your own people can benefit from it. And that is exactly what has happened here today.” Sir Onyeme highlighted the importance of value addition in agriculture. According to him; “We all know that this area is probably one of the highest producers of plantain in this country. Almost everywhere you go here, you will find plantain. But we also know that the shelf life of plantain is very short. If you harvest plantain today and within a week you do not eat it or use it, it will spoil.”
“Processed plantain flour or plantain chips can last for six months or even more if properly produced and stored. But if you do not process it, it will simply waste.”
He commended the visionary effort of the facility’s promoter, Mr. Raymond Ananenu, CEO of Ollantay Tambo Flour and Seventh Computer Logistics Nig Ltd, and a traditional title holder (Uti of Aboh Kingdom).
“I want to thank you, Mr. Ananenu. I sincerely appreciate your vision. And I am sure that apart from this wonderful initiative you have started, with the encouragement you will receive from people like us including your council chairman, more ideas and opportunities will continue to emerge.”
“This community has enormous potential. If you talk about aquaculture, it is here. If you talk about marine transportation, it is here. If you talk about oil and gas, it is here. And now, agro processing, which you have started, is also here.”
In his remarks, the Chairman of Ndokwa East Local Government Area, Hon. Vincent Osilonya, said the project aligned perfectly with the council’s vision for agricultural development.
“As an agrarian local government, we have already put machinery in place to acquire land and establish processing plants for cassava and yam. This is because agriculture remains the backbone of our local economy.”
Hon. Osilonya described the plantain processing plant as a welcome development in an area known for massive plantain cultivation.
“Instead of simply selling their raw products at very low prices, they will now have the opportunity to benefit more from their hard work. Our goal is to ensure that our farmers earn better income from their produce. At the same time, initiatives like this will help generate revenue for the local government and promote economic development in our area.”
He pledged continued support for public-private partnerships, stating that collaboration between government and the private sector is essential for sustainable growth.
In his welcome address, Mr. Raymond Ananenu described the facility as a modern food processing plant designed to add value to the agricultural food chain.
He said it was equipped with state-of-the-art machines capable of processing harvested plantain, yam, and rice into flour and other food products.
Chief Ananenu personally conducted the Deputy Governor and other dignitaries on a guided tour of the facility, explaining the operations of the various processing machines.
The commissioning has been hailed by stakeholders as a significant boost to local farmers and a practical step towards reducing post-harvest losses while creating employment opportunities in Ndokwa East.
