HONORABLE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY ATOP BY THE OFUDUA RICE MILL IN CROSS RIVER STATE I took some time to stop by the famous Ofodua rice processing cluster-a concentration of several rice processing mills in Obubra LGA.The miller’s were ecstatic. Familiar environment I daresay. I have enjoyed a long standing relationship with the Obubra people since 2003 when I first represented them in the House of Representatives. Unsurprisingly, on ground I met those who reminded me of my various support to them long ago. My engagement with them threw up similar issues and challenges thrown up by their parent body earlier in the week at my office in Abuja.The visit provided an opportunity to engage directly with mill owners, workers, and traders whose livelihoods depend on this value chain. Many of these mills play an important role in supporting local rice production, creating jobs, and strengthening the rural economy.Particularly, the rice processing cluster in Ofodua faces a range of difficulties, including ageing equipment, limited access to finance, inconsistent power supply, lack of water supply and environmental concerns related to the evacuation and management of by-products. Understanding these realities first hand is necessary if we are to design practical solutions that can scale these facilities to full operation.The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and expanding domestic food production and processing. Reviving rice processing capacity across our producing communities is central to that effort.With the right support, these mills can be modernised and expanded to serve farmers more efficiently, reduce post-harvest losses, and create sustainable employment for young people across Cross River State and the country at large. Our goal is clear, to ensure that communities such as Ofodua continue to be active centres of agricultural processing and rural enterprise.Nigeria has the land, the farmers, and the market. What remains is to strengthen the systems that connect production to processing and to markets. This visit marks an important step toward identifying the interventions needed to scale up these mills and unlock their full potential for the people of Cross River State and our nation.~ Senator John Owan EnohHonourable Minister of State for Industry
HONORABLE MINISTER OF INDUSTRY ATOP BY THE OFUDUA RICE MILL IN CROSS RIVER STATE I took some time to stop by the famous Ofodua rice processing cluster-a concentration of several rice processing mills in Obubra LGA.The miller’s were ecstatic. Familiar environment I daresay. I have enjoyed a long standing relationship with the Obubra people since 2003 when I first represented them in the House of Representatives. Unsurprisingly, on ground I met those who reminded me of my various support to them long ago. My engagement with them threw up similar issues and challenges thrown up by their parent body earlier in the week at my office in Abuja.The visit provided an opportunity to engage directly with mill owners, workers, and traders whose livelihoods depend on this value chain. Many of these mills play an important role in supporting local rice production, creating jobs, and strengthening the rural economy.Particularly, the rice processing cluster in Ofodua faces a range of difficulties, including ageing equipment, limited access to finance, inconsistent power supply, lack of water supply and environmental concerns related to the evacuation and management of by-products. Understanding these realities first hand is necessary if we are to design practical solutions that can scale these facilities to full operation.The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), remains committed to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and expanding domestic food production and processing. Reviving rice processing capacity across our producing communities is central to that effort.With the right support, these mills can be modernised and expanded to serve farmers more efficiently, reduce post-harvest losses, and create sustainable employment for young people across Cross River State and the country at large. Our goal is clear, to ensure that communities such as Ofodua continue to be active centres of agricultural processing and rural enterprise.Nigeria has the land, the farmers, and the market. What remains is to strengthen the systems that connect production to processing and to markets. This visit marks an important step toward identifying the interventions needed to scale up these mills and unlock their full potential for the people of Cross River State and our nation.~ Senator John Owan EnohHonourable Minister of State for Industry