Eko Hot Blog reports that the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced its commitment to revitalize the rice mill located at Elele Alimini in the Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The move is part of the NDDC’s strategy to bolster food security in the region by resurrecting the 180 tonnes/day rice mill.
Victor Antai, the Executive Director, Projects at NDDC, expressed the commission’s dedication to ensuring the return to full production at the rice mill during an inspection visit to the facility.
Antai expressed disappointment at the suspension of production at the factory and emphasized the importance of the rice mill in the NDDC’s industrialization initiatives.
“I want to thank the NDDC for building the rice mill. It is a gigantic project, the biggest in the Niger Delta Region. We went into a partnership with the Elephant Group. Unfortunately, they stopped production in 2022,” remarked Antai during the visit.
He continued, “We decided to visit the facility to know why they stopped production and to also look for possible ways of bringing it back to production again. The NDDC has to meet its mandate of food security in consonance with the drive of the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, who is determined to create employment for the teeming youths of the region.”
Antai acknowledged the potential of the rice mill to generate employment opportunities for the youth once it resumes full production.
He assured that the NDDC would collaborate with the management of the Elephant Group to devise strategies for reviving the facility.
“It is comforting that most of the equipment at the facility are still intact and functional. In no time, the MD and management will decide on how best to handle this facility and get it up and running,” Antai affirmed.
Responding to concerns raised by a technical staff of the Elephant Group, Uchechi Emejuru, Antai stressed the need to connect the rice mill to a dedicated power line from a power injection station to ensure a steady power supply.
This, he believes, will contribute to reducing the overall cost of production and enhance the sustainability of the rice mill’s operations.
Click to watch our video of the week
Concerns have intensified among the faculty members of Taraba State University (TSU) in Jalingo after…
The longstanding tension between Nollywood stars Azubuike Michael Egwu, popularly known as Zubby Michael, and…
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and other emergency services have rescued a Toyota…