The National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI) inaugurated a 10-tonne daily palm oil processing factory in Calabar on Saturday.
The project was conceptualised and executed by the traditional head of Kasuk II Qua Clan, Dr Ededem Ayito III, in conjunction with the NBTI.
Dr Agatha Efa, NBTI Centre Manager in Cross River said the factory, an initiative of a private company owned by the clan head, could produce 3,000 bottles of one-litre palm oil in 72 hours.
She noted that the factory would provide employment in addition to improving the economy of the area.
“Projects like this are reasons why the NBTI was established in 1999.
“The goal is to boost the economy; provide employment; bridge the gap between the rich and the poor; it is a plus to Nigeria.
“We have never had something like this from a native of Cross River. The capacity of the factory is capable of producing 3,000 bottles of palm oil within three days,’’ she said.
In his remark, Ayito III said he expected more funding to boost the factory’s production capacity beyond the current projection of 10 tonnes per day.
“We have a lot of oil palms in Cross River, but there is no value addition. When the NBTI was created, I took advantage of it to add value to oil palm for export.
“The equipment can produce up to 10 tonnes per day and we get our raw materials from 150 hectares of land we have cultivated.
“We intend to acquire more avenues for raw materials and we are calling on financial institutions to come to our aid,’’ Ayito said.
Nigeria is the fifth largest producer of palm oil globally with an annual production of 970,000 tonnes, while Cross River is the second largest producer in the country, after Edo.
The project inauguration attracted many traditional leaders who commended the project and said it would curb youth’s restiveness in the state. (NAN)
