NDDC plans to invest in cassava starch production

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) says it will collaborate with Ebedebiri Starch Company, an indigenous firm, to boost its daily starch production from 250,000 metric tonnes.

The commission’s Executive Director of Projects, Mr Victor Antai, disclosed this during a visit to the company’s headquarters in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa on Monday.

Antai expressed the confidence that the partnership would increase the local production capacity and create more job opportunities for hundreds of unemployed youths in the Niger Delta region.

”We have assessed the factory and I can confirm that it’s standard location and the calibre of staff on ground provide strong justification for the partnership.

“Under the current Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, the commission will provide the needed assistance to enhance the company’s daily production capacity of 250,000 metric tonnes.

”In addition to increasing daily starch production, NDDC will assist the company acquire land, provide raw materials and skilled labour,” he said.

Antai said that the commission was planning to collaborate with non-governmental organisations to boost food production in the country.

Earlier, the Managing Director of the factory, Mrs Tonye Ekiyor, appealed for partnership with government and private organisations to enhance food production in the region.

Ekiyor requested for NDDC’s assistance to enable the company to expand its daily production capacity in order to address the rising cost of living in the country, particularly in the Niger Delta region.

”I appreciate NDDC for showing interest in facilitating the necessary turnaround to enable the factory to meet the growing demands across the country,” she said.