The Anambra State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth sixty eight billion naira(N68bn)with Chelsea Group Limited for the development of a mechanized large scale commercial agricultural project in Omasi, Ayamelum council area.
The deal was for the establishment of Agricultural projects including Green houses.
The state government was to contribute N7.2billion and the investor, N60.8 billion
It would cover a land area of 10,000 hectares, and would involve massive cultivation of Maize, Cassava and Soya Bean as well as the development of an ethanol plant.
Performing the function, the state Governor Willie Obiano said that his administration’s objective in the agric sector was not just to achieve food sufficiency and generate surplus for export, but to also create activities that will generate jobs for the teeming unemployed youths in the state.
He noted that a lot has been achieved in the State’s Agric sector because of the clear vision his administration initiated through its agric Committee which was set up upon inception. He added that a major milestone it achieved was the identification of various crop belts to guide investors in siting their agro-businesses appropriately.
Gov Obiano who acknowledged that the project has the potential to contribute significantly towards the realization of his administration’s vision for agricultural transformation, urged the investor to immediately hit the ground running to ensure that the project was completed on schedule.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency(ANSIPPA)and Traditional Ruler of Umuoji, Igwe Cyril Enweze explained that the project was in two phases with a completion period of 4 years. He disclosed that the investor has promised to commence the first phase within 6months and complete it in 18 months time.
The Chairman of the Investing Company, Chief Patrick Chidolue who noted that for the first time, the state was having a clear blueprint for the Agric sector and a structured system for its actualization, commended Governor Obiano for his vision and promised to deliver the Project in record time.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mechanization Processing and Export, Mr Afam Mbanefo represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Agriculture, Mr Mike Ogbuekwe noted that through its Land Back initiative, the present administration has been able to address the challenge of non availability of large parcels of land for large scale Mechanised Farmers and assured that the Ministry will follow through to provide the support required of it for the success of the project.
Also Managing Director of ANSIPPA, Chief Joe-Billy Ekwunife pointed out that the realization of their mandate at ANSIPPA has been made a whole lot easier through the efforts of the governor at creating the enabling environment for investors to bring their wealth into the state.
