Cross River Idoma cassava processing plant expected to generate 1,000 jobs -Commissioner
Mr. Johnson Ebokpo, Cross River’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, announced that the newly established eight-metric-tonne cassava processing mill in the Idoma community will create 1,000 direct jobs. He made this statement during the plant’s inauguration on Thursday in Idoma, Biase Local Government Area.
Ebokpo emphasized the project’s significance for community development and mentioned that the government plans to replicate this model in other local government areas. This initiative, part of the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise for Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) project, also includes a 1.3-kilometre farm road, a mini-bridge, and 15 hectares of cassava farmland.
Ebokpo described the project as an integrated approach to community development, highlighting the importance of infrastructure like roads and flood control in addition to food production. He noted that the community will benefit year-round as the cassava production and processing cycle continues.
Dr. Abiodun Sanni, National Project Coordinator, stated that the project aims to reduce youth restiveness and empower women through comprehensive agricultural infrastructure. He detailed how the 1.3-kilometre access road and mini-bridge connect to the cassava processing mill and the plantation for project participants.
The Paramount Ruler of Idoma, Chief Steve Omori, praised the project’s establishment, recalling previous contributions from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) that benefited the community. He vowed to ensure the new cassava mill is well-protected, just as the community protected the IFAD-funded classroom blocks built in 2010.
Beneficiary Ms. Comfort Anthony expressed gratitude for the project’s impact, noting improvements in livelihoods due to the training and resources provided. The LIFE-ND project in Idoma has trained 59 participants, with 15 receiving land to cultivate high-yield, disease-resistant TME 419 cassava stems.
