ASABA/Nigeria: Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has granted Olam Agri access to 99.99 hectares of land at Ogwashi-Uku for a proposed animal feed production plant expected to strengthen feed supply across the South-South and South-East regions.
The governor presented the Certificate of Occupancy to the company at Government House, Asaba, on Wednesday, describing the investment as part of efforts to expand agricultural production, attract private capital and improve food security in Delta State.
Oborevwori said his administration remained committed to providing a business environment in which genuine investors could operate, adding that peace, adherence to due process and cooperation among communities and stakeholders were important to attracting investments.
He said the government would continue to encourage partnerships with reputable companies capable of contributing to agricultural development, employment generation and improved livelihoods.
According to the governor, investment in food production and agricultural processing could stimulate economic activities while creating opportunities for residents and businesses across the state.
He also commended traditional rulers and other stakeholders for helping to sustain the peaceful environment needed for projects of this nature, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to agricultural productivity and food security.
Speaking at the ceremony, Olam Agri’s Managing Director, Amit Agarwal, said the company selected the South-South and South-East as a strategic location for its next animal feed production facility because of the supply gap in the two regions.
Agarwal explained that Olam Agri already operated animal feed production facilities in the South-West but intended to bring production closer to customers in the southern and eastern parts of the country.
He said the proposed facility would help improve access to animal feed and address the supply deficit identified by the company in the two regions.
The managing director thanked the Delta State Government for its support and expressed the company’s readiness to work with the government, traditional institutions and the host community to advance the project.
The Obi of Ogwashi-Uku Kingdom, HRM Obi Dr Ifechukwudi Okonjo II, welcomed the proposed investment and urged the company to ensure that residents of the host community benefited from its operations.
He called for employment opportunities, internships, skills development and technology transfer to enable local people to acquire relevant experience and participate meaningfully in the project.
The proposed plant could strengthen Delta State’s agricultural value chain by bringing feed production closer to livestock and poultry farmers in the region. Its eventual contribution to food security and local economic development will, however, depend on the project’s implementation, operational capacity and the extent to which farmers and host communities benefit.
