Labana Rice Mills in Kebbi says it has concluded arrangements to partner with the Republic of Benin for large scale rice production.
Its General Manager, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris-Zuru, said in a statement issued on Tuesday in Birnin-Kebbi that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would soon be signed to give effect to the collaboration.
He stated that in the partnership, Benin Republic “is expected to provide substantial hectares of land to Labana for cultivation of rice for Labana Rice Mills whose annual paddy requirement will hit 300,000 tonnes soon’’.
Idris-Zuru stated also that a delegation of Labana Rice Mills officials would go to Cotonou to sign the MOU.
“Beninoise government’s acceptance of the partnership was conveyed to the Chairman of Labana Rice Mills through a letter signed by Mr Alfred Akossoun, on behalf of the embassy of Benin Republic in Nigeria.
“Part of the letter reads: Benin Republic has graciously granted your request for the establishment of a partnership for rice cultivation in the Republic of Benin,’’ he added.
Ibrahim-Zuru recalled that early in November, a delegation from Benin Republic was in Kebbi State to kick-start the process for the partnership.
The delegation comprised the Benin Republic Deputy Ambassador in Nigeria, the Director-General of the country’s Agricultural Development Agency and a member of its National Assembly.
He noted that while in Kebbi State, the delegation inspected Labana Rice Mills’ 16 tonnes and 20 tonnes per hour mills.
It also inspected the 10,000 hectares Labana Rice Farm at Gante in Bagudo Local Government Area and rounded up the visit with a meeting with members of the Board of Directors of Labana Rice Mills.
According to him, leader of the Beninoise delegation, Sen. Issa Salifou, expressed satisfaction with the capacity of Labana’s rice mills, the quality of its products and the quality and capacity of its machineries.
Idris-Zuru added that the partnership would be mutually beneficial to Nigeria and to Benin Republic, particularly for those at the border communities.
NAN