The Delta State Governor, in partnership with Northsworthy Farms and Allied Industries Limited, has successfully planted over 250,000 oil palm trees on over 1,400 hectares of land and constructed an oil palm refinery at Akwukwu-Igbo, Oshimili North Local Government Area of the State.
The Governor of the state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, disclosed this after inspecting oil palm plantations and refineries, calling for more investments in agricultural development to curb rising food insufficiency in Nigeria.
Okowa commended the management and staff of Norsworthy Farms, the Obi of Akuku-Igbo and the people of Illah for their support and cooperation towards the successful take-off of the project, adding that he believed in the partnership because it would help the immediate community and the state at large.
“Four years ago, the management of Norsworthy Farms spoke to me when they were to commence, and I thought it a worthwhile venture to have the state government stay supportive and in partnership with them to develop this oil palm plantation, now with a mill already being installed.”
“Where we are now, is quite interesting because we have had the opportunity to go round the one thousand four hundred hectares of land, all planted with oil palm seedlings that have grown so much; some are already producing.” Governor Noted
Dr Gabriel Ogbechie, the organization’s Managing Director, thanked the governor for his support of the project, explaining that it is a significant contribution to the country’s agricultural development and food sufficiency needs.
He made it known that the company is not stopping at the current capacity, and that there is plan in place to expand further with the acquisition of additional 600 hectares of land at Ubulu-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area.
