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| Mr Chris Agara |
Our Correspondent|20 September 2017
Mr Chris Agara, Chairman of A.A Universal Agro Industries Limited, has commended Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River for embarking on a cocoa processing factory in Ikom local government area of the state NegroidHaven can say.
Agara, who spoke with newsmen in Calabar, said that the project which has reached an advanced stage, would boost cocoa production in the state when completed.
According to him, the factory which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2018, would be processing over 30,000 metric tons of cocoa yearly.
Agara, who said he has been supporting the growth of the project with his private funds, added that the initiative was borne out his desire to promote cocoa production in the state.
He explained that he must not be a government appointee before he can support the government, adding that the life cycle of the Ikom, Boki and Etung man is cocoa.
“I am close to the Cross River government; I must not own the whole world before being part of the development of our people.
“I am impressed with the initiative of the governor and that is why I am supporting him in this project.
“The business of cocoa in Cross River has not been properly harnessed. Before now, our raw cocoa bean is usually transported to Ondo state where it is mixed with the Ondo cocoa and exported as a brand called `Ondo cocoa’.
“The governor made it clear during his campaign that he was going to set up a cocoa processing factory and we are happy that the project is going on and it has reached an advanced stage.
“The governor called me as a business man and asked me to team up with the state and anchor the project. I whole-heartedly embraced the call”, he said.
He also told journalists that the Nigeria Export Import Bank was willing to support the project in their own little way.
“I am so determined in making sure that this project is completed and put to use by the first quarter of next year”, he said.
It would be recalled that Ayade had earlier commended Agara for his financial and material support for the project during an inspection tour on the construction site on Sept. 15, 2017.
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