Okowa Inspects Oil Palm Project in Delta

By Emeka Akataobi

Delta State Government is set to commission a multi billion oil palm project in the State.

Governor Okowa who toured around the project said he was impressed with the partnership between the State government and Norseworthy Farm Limited in establishing an Oil Palm Plantation, a mill and oil Palm seedlings fruiting.
The project occupies 1,400 Hectare of land owned by Akwukwu-Igbo, Ugbolu and Ilah Communities in Oshimili North Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Okowa who expressed satisfaction with the level of work done on the road leading to the farm, assured that construction of access road leading to the farm will be completed by December which will in turn assist the company to grow faster.
“About 300 persons on the average are already working on daily basis in the farm and when it’s fully completed,more people will be engaged. That is what we set to achieve in this partnership with Norseworthy Farm”. Okowa said.
The Group Managing Director of the farm Dr Gabriel Ugbechie in his remark said the vision he nursed, four years ago, was made possible by the State governor.
Dr Ugbechie said ” Yes as a state government, we believe in this Worthy partnership, beyond the fact it will help to grow economy and also help communities. we are mindful it’s going to generate a lot of employment”.

“This country is challenged as far as food sufficiency is concerned, one thing I know is that one veritable way out of our food poverty, insecurity and unemployment is that each an every one needs to play our part in the Agric sector and one way is Palm oil, with a very good space to invest in”.

Ugbechie who further highlighted the benefits associated with oil Palm in the international market noted that ” by His grace and support of his Excellency,we are getting another 600 hecters of land in Ubulu-Uku and another 200 Palm seeds at nursery stage which is a joint project between Norseworthy Farm and Delta State Government”.

His Highness Obi Azuka JP said he was elated with the recent developments in his community adding that these activities will create an avenue for employment and exposure to new ideas in his community, especially the youths.
He thanked the MD of Norseworthy Farm and State Government for choosing his community for the project.
Dr Ben Uwezu former commissioner local government affairs and also former SSA to the governor on investment who gave a brief history on how project started, said agro allied industry limited project commenced 4years back.
He added that it was a forest reserve that was converted into a farm by the state government through the Ministry of environment.

“Government has a share, their community has a share, core investor has a share and majority share is Norseworthy Farm and Agro Industry Limited who is also the MD Rain Oil Limited”.