14/11/2012 (The Punch) - A Singaporean firm, Wilmar International,  has inaugurated a 50,000 hectare ultra-oil palm plantations capable of  employing  over 20,000 workers.

While inaugurating the Calaro, Ibiae and Biase Oil Palm plantations, jointly owned by Wilmar International Limited and PZ Cussons at Mbarakom, Akamkpa Local Government, Governor  Liyel Imoke said the investment would make the state the greatest oil palm producer in the country.

Imoke said his administration would continue to focus on the  agriculture sector to create jobs for youths.

He commended Wilmar for investing in the state.

Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, said  Wilmar’s investment would contribute to national development.

Adesina, who was  represented by the Team Leader, Oil Palm Value Chain, Dr. Dickson Okolo, said the Federal Government was committed to agricultural revolution.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mr. C. Kuok, said the company’s vision was  to revive the  palm oil  industry in Nigeria and restore its past glory by investing in the entire palm oil value chain.

He added that the company’s focus was  to develop oil plantations, processing mills, palm oil refinery and  production of packaged edible oil.