Perhaps, Nigeria’s greatest leap and return into the league of oil palm producers is presently taking place in Cross River State and this is authoritative, calitown.com can reveal.
Speaking exclusively to calitown.com in his office, General Manager of Wilmar, Calabar, the Singaporean firm, working with PZ-Cussons, that has invested heavily in the Calaro and Ibiae palm plantations in Biase LGA of the state, Lee Kok Seng, says CR’s 1.1million oil palm seedlings to support the replacement of several wild grove plants in pilot areas is a clear demonstration of the state’s commitment to reasserting itself as a major producer of oil palm and related products.
He disclosed further that already more than 700 hectres have been cultivated with the state’s Ministry of Agriculture providing N36 million to cover the 250 hectres wipe out, to make way for re-planting of high yielding oil palm varieties.
Seng also disclosed that his organization will soon commence the construction of a refinery for palm and lauric oils as well as generate employment in the state. Already, at various levels in the organization, he further revealed, more than 2000 indigenes have been engaged and are helping his organization deliver on her huge investment in the state. A training school to cater to the technical needs of Wilmar is also earmarked for construction to bolster the operations of the company which has a 99 years lease on the plantations.
The GM commended the host communities creating a conducive environment that is making their work easier and prayed that the communities will continue like this so that accruable benefits will be maximized.
The Wilmar International Group is a global oil palm plantation owner and the world’s largest processor and merchandiser of palm and lauric oils.
