By Obiabin Onukwugha
The Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, says it will partner an indigenous cassava starch manufacturing factory, Ebedebiri Starch Company Limited in starch production so as to boost production and create job opportunities for youths in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and the Niger Delts region at large.
Starch, is a swallow prepared from the water that drops from grinded cassava, while processing garri.
The food is mostly enjoyed with banga soup by the Ijaws in Delta and Bayelsa States, though it could be swallowed with other variety of soup too.
NDDC Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai, announced this when he visited the Ebedebiri Starch Company Limited, in the company of some directors of the commission.
In a statement posted on the verified X handled of the agency on Tuesday, Antai said the agency will assist the company in acquiring land, the needed raw materials and skilled labour, among other things.
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He also stated that the move would promote the local industry and create employment for youths in the Niger Delta region.
Antai further disclosed that in line with the policy of the Commission under the leadership of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the firm will be assisted to increase its daily production of 250,000 metric tonne daily.
“I have gone round the factory with some management staff of the commission and I can attest that the standard, location of the factory and the calibre of staff on ground would serve as good justification for the partnership”, he said.
The Executive Director, Projects added that the NDDC will also go into partnership with non-governmental organisations with similar interest to ensure massive food production in the country, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the factory, Mrs. Tonye Ekiyor, stressed the importance of boosting food production in the Niger Delta region.
She appealed to the NDDC to assist the factory with facilities to enable it increase its production capacity.
The factory boss appreciated NDDC for showing interest and expressed hope that it would bring the needed turn around to enable the factory meet up with several waiting demands across the nation.
