24th August, 2014
Cassava farmers in Delta have appealed to the state government to rehabilitate the three abandoned cassava mills established by Governor James Ibori.
The state Chairman, Nigeria Cassava Growers Association (NCGA), Mr Justus Kachikwu, made the appeal in an interview with NAN in Asaba on Sunday.
Kachikwu said that the mills were located at Ubulu-Okiti, Aniocha South Local Government Area; Oghara in Ethiope-East, and Ogbe-Ijaw in Warri South-West council area.
According to him, the processing mills were at various stages of completion with the equipment already procured and waiting installation, before the projects were abandoned.
He, however, said that the state government had proposed to build six new cassava processing industries across the state, locating two in each of the three senatorial districts.
Kachikwu said although the farmers’ expectations from the proposed industries were high, but they preferred the government to complete the abandoned mills.
“I want to appeal to the state government to please help us and complete the abandoned three mills.
“If the proposed six cassava mills cannot be ready before the expiration of the tenure of this administration, the old ones should be completed,” Kachikwu said.
The chairman said that with the completion of the three mills, the association was sure of producing quality starch and other cassava by-products.
He said that the association had gone into negotiation with the communities where the six new ones would be established for procurement of lands for large scale cassava cultivation.
Kachikwu said that the measure was to ensure that enough cassava would be produced to feed the mills when established.
However, he urged the state government to expedite action on the proposed six mills to create job and ensure food security in the state.