October 5, (THEWILL) – At least 300,000 more seedlings of improved coconut variety are expected to be planted, to boost the supply of raw materials for the State-owned Coconut Oil refinery, as Governor Udom Emmanuel flags off planting across the 31 LGAs in Akwa Ibom State.
It was the event to mark the state’s 2022 Coconut Day Celebration, on Tuesday, at Mkpu, Itu Mbonuso in Ini Local Government Area.
Speaking, the Governor described the coconut planting exercise as the hallmark of activities held to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the state.
He expressed optimism that the State will become an economic hub with the availability of raw materials to boost production at St Gabriel’s Coconut Oil Factory in the state.
“Of 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 three hundred thousand coconut seedlings at the same time between now and 2 pm.”
“Our target before I hand over the baton to the incoming governor, is to plant two million coconut seedlings and before December we will meet that target”, he assured.
Governor Emmanuel called on the host community to protect the project, explaining that the coconut plantation will generate income for the state, as virgin coconut oil sells higher than crude oil on the international market.
Earlier in her remark, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Mrs Offiong Offor, thanked Governor Emmanuel for facilitating the project, which she noted has been a task in increasing raw materials for the coconut oil factory.
Dr Offor said as the state marks coconut day with the planting of seedlings, many job opportunities will be created for the youths and income will be generated through the production of coconut oil.
In a goodwill message, former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Dr Glory Edet, lauded the innovations in the agricultural sector by Governor Udom Emmanuel, saying that the vision to plant coconut will encourage the availability of raw materials to further boost the production in the factory.
Paramount Ruler of the area, HRM Edidem Etim Umoette, commended Governor Emmanuel for the various developmental projects put in place across the state.
The royal father noted that the huge investments in agriculture remain a panacea for food sufficiency in the state.
The high point of the event was the planting of coconut seedlings by the Governor and Government functionaries present to mark the day.
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