The stage is now set for a strategic partnership with Ebedebiri Starch Company Limited, an indigenous cassava starch manufacturing facility situated in Bayelsa State’s Sagbama Local Government Area, according to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The Commission claims that by supporting regional enterprises and igniting economic growth, the action will encourage the creation of jobs for young people in the Niger Delta Region (NDR). But, questions around due process is being asked, and the NDDC Management must come clean.
The commission’s readiness to collaborate with the Ebedebiri Starch Company was revealed by the Executive Director (Projects), Sir Victor Antai, during his visit to the facility. Sir Antai highlighted the factory’s impressive standards, strategic location, and the calibre of its staff as compelling justifications for the proposed partnership.
Antai emphasized that, in alignment with the Commission’s policy under the leadership of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the NDDC would support the factory in increasing its daily production from the current 250,000 metric tonnes. The assistance would extend to various aspects, including land acquisition, sourcing raw materials, and providing skilled labor.
The Executive Director, Projects, affirmed that the NDDC, aligning with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, would explore partnerships with non-governmental organizations sharing similar interests to enhance massive food production across the country.
Mrs. Tonye Ekiyor, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Ebedebiri Starch Company Limited, stressed the importance of boosting food production in the Niger Delta region. She appealed to the NDDC for assistance, seeking facilities that would enable the factory to scale up its production capacity.
Acknowledging the NDDC’s keen interest, Ekiyor expressed optimism that the partnership would bring the much-needed turnaround, allowing the factory to meet the rising demands for its products nationwide.
While this collaborative effort between the NDDC and Ebedebiri Starch Company Limited is poised to be a catalyst for job creation and economic development in Bayelsa State, questions must be asked about how the NDDC management arrived at the partnership decision, and choice of partner. As the Atlantic Post closely monitors the progress of this partnership, we can expect more updates around beneficial ownership disclosure and on how this contributes to empowering local communities and fostering sustainable growth in the region.
