By Gertrude Onyekachukwu-Ute
Delta State Government (DTSG) has signed Factory Plots Lease Agreement with Jayta Commodities Nigeria Limited to boost agricultural value chain in the state.
The signing of the lease agreement took place in the office of the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) to the Governor, coordinated by the Chairman of the Delta State Agro-Industrial Park (DAIP) Implementation Committee and the Chief Job and Wealth Creation Officer, Prof Eric Eboh.
Eboh reiterated the commitment of the state government to the speedy completion of the project, adding that one of its critical components was the dedicated factory plots to be managed by a private agro-investor, Jayta Commodities Nigeria Limited.
According to him, “under the Land Lease Agreement, Jayta Commodities Nigeria Limited is allotted factory plot area of 7.2 hectares for the building, establishment and operation of integrated oil palm factory complex, comprising three components, namely palm oil mill, palm kernel crushing plant and effluent treatment system.”
He explained that the allotment of factory plots to Jayta Commodities Limited was approved by the State Executive Council, upon recommendation by the DAIP Project Implementation Committee after rigorous due diligence and scrutiny.
He gave the terms and conditions of operation for the allotment to include payment of the minimum deposit fee as commitment to implementing the agreement, commencement of the construction of the factory complex within six months of signing the agreement, completion of the construction of the factory, establishment, and commencement of factory operations within 24 months from signing the agreement.
On his part, the CEA to the governor, Dr Kingsley Emu, pointed out that DAIP was one of the cardinal projects focused on job creation under public private partnership (PPP) to enhance job and wealth creation in the state, describing it as one of the best models in the country.
“This is done in such a s in the park.
Responding, the Managing Director of Jayta Commodities Nig. Ltd, Mr. Emmanuel Onyeweliakuba, expressed optimism that his company would put in its best to help the state government realise its aims of setting up the project.
“Agricultural value chain as it affects the DAIP is an untapped window.
“This is not agriculture at a subsistence level, but on a commercial level which we are adding value.
“As we complete this process on behalf of our management, we are moving into site,” he remarked.
