AS GOVERNOR COMMISSIONING HIS FIRST PUBLIC/PRIVATE PROJECT TODAY.
I must commend Governor Fayemi as he is set to commission his first private initiative project that has direct touch to addressing the scourge of unemployment and food security in the State, no doubt this is result and manifestation of value restoration and creating investment harmonious environment by the Ekiti State Government.
The policies of the government is beginning to yield positive result in encouraging private investments in the state, the State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, will by this commissioning a multi- billion naira Egbeja Snail Village , Okemesi Ekiti, today January 19, 2021.
The project, which is a private initiative of Farmkonnect Agricbusiness Nigeria Limited, in partnership with Touchstone Snails Technology, Cyprus, is designed to be the largest snail farm in Nigeria and second largest in Africa, with capacity to produce a minimum of 2.6 million kg (2,600 metric tons) of snails per annum.
Likewise, few weeks ago, in responding to the call of Dr. Kayode Fayemi for greater participation in the economic growth of the state by its Diaspora indigenes, the Ekiti indigenes in the Diaspora under the company name of Ekitikete Livestock Development Company Limited was quoted to have submitted an Expression of Interest (EoI) to take over the long abandoned Irele-Ekiti Cattle Ranch facility (2,400 hectares) located in Ikole Local Government Area for the development of a livestock production centre for cattle, other ruminants and related land cultivation.
Towards this end, the promoters have projected an initial investment sum of Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N250 million) and planned investment of over N500 million over the next 5 years
The Cattle Ranch is expected to start with initial cattle head of 200 and the herd will be increased annually.
These are good steps in the right direction, one can just imagine the economic benefit of projects like these to the government inform of increased IGR, job creation, food security etc.
Opportunities still abound in Ekiti and the State is rightly situated to accommodate more of companies and initiatives like this bearing in mind that people move day old chicken, fingerlins, ducks, piglets, eggs etc in large quantities all the way from Obasanjo Farms in Ota, Ibadan etc to other parts of this country and outside the country with the attendance economic benefits, this new and emerging companies and more to come can cover a lot of demand shortfalls if properly managed.
In view of the above, Dr. Fayemi need to do more in using his vantage position as the Chairman of governors forum to attract more emerging companies to the State more than before. This and more are why he was voted not any other things.
Congratulations Farmkonnect Agricbusiness Nigeria Limited and Touchstone Snails Technology, Cyprus,
Congratulations Ekitikete.
I remain yet,
HC Ade