Nigeria: BATN Donates Cassava Plant to Nasarawa State

Source from:  This Day  11/06/2012

British American Tobacco Nigeria (BATN), in collaboration with Nasarawa State Fadama III, has donated over N5 million worth of Cassava Processing Cottage Industry items to Ezzen Fadama III Users Group Bukan-sidi Community in Nasarawa state.
 
Inaugurating the cassava processing cottage industry in Lafia, the state capital, the chairman of BATN foundation, Dr. Christopher Kolade, who was represented by the executive director of the organisation Mr. Gbenga Ibikunle said the project aims to improve the quality of life of citizens in rural and urban areas of Nigeria through the implementation of various communities development projects.
 
Ibikunle who said their choice of Ezzen Fadama III Users Group Bukan-sidi community for the particular project was borne out of series of consultations with the state coordinator of Fadama III and his team.
 
He stated that the cassava processing plant, which was launched, was fully equipped with modern processing equipment such as cassava greater, heavy duty cassava pressers, cassava sifters, fermentation racks and stainless steel fryers.
 
He said the provision of functional borehole with 5,000 litre water storage tank was to ensure steady supply of adequate water and not only for processing activities at the plant but also for domestic use by members of the community.
 
According to him, the foundation, which was established in 2002 and incorporated as a company limited by guarantee to operate in Nigeria on a series of local initiatives and projects, focuses on four key areas, including sustainable agricultural development, sustainable potable water supply, sustainable environmental protection and sustainable educational development.
 
He further disclosed that the four focal areas also supported the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) of the United Nations and the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) of the Federal Government of Nigeria.
 
"It is our fervent belief that this cassava industry will greatly improve efficiency in the processing of agricultural produce and it will reduce wastage and increase productivity", he stated.
 
He continued: "The new system of processing cassava into garri and other derivatives will engender higher product quality, higher income and better quality of life for members of the Ezzen Fadama III UGBSC".
 
Urging all members of the communities to take good care of the plant and all the facilities that were handed over to them, he tasked them to use them faithfully and guard them jealously.
 
In his keynote address, the state commissioner for agriculture and natural resources Mr. Ahmed Tijani Usman, stated that Nasarawa state was one of the highest prodders of cassava in Nigeria explained that the government placed high priority on agriculture and rural development.
 
The commissioner, who was represented by the director of finance in the ministry of agriculture, Mr. Makamma Micheal, further explained that the state agriculture policy programme was targeted at economic empowerment of rural poor.
 
Tijani however called on other organisations, NGOs and CSOs to come to Nasarawa state with similar initiatives.
 
Earlier, the chairman Ezzen, Mr. John Embugushiki, thanked the organisation for siting the gigantic project in their community and assured him that the state Fadama coordination office would be committed to sustain the facility. Enditem