Ayade test-runs new feed mill as Nexim Bank mulls partnership with Cross River

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Government News Source|8 December 2019 
A test-run of the newly established Cross River State feed mill was carried out at the weekend, with Governor Ben Ayade calling on the management of Nexim Bank to partner with the state in its agro industrial revolution.
Located at the Ayade Industrial Park along Goodluck Jonathan Bypass in Calabar, the feed mill is one of the latest factories built by the Ayade-led administration that is ready for commissioning.
The governor who witnessed the test-run along with the management of NEXIM Bank, that also toured other factories like the 24000 birds per day frozen chicken factory and the noodles factory, urged the bank to use the state to demonstrate Nigeria’s potentials.
 "We are a very serious-minded people. Nexim Bank, you have a great opportunity, partner with us and let us build Cross River State as a showcase of the potentials and capabilities that Nigeria can actually be herself," the governor remarked.
He said the factories, beside shoring up the economic base of the state, provide jobs to thousands of people.
According to him, “from the start to the end, we have human beings given jobs in massive numbers. This is the way to go and this is agro industrial revolution."
Declaring that the wheel of progress has just begun, Ayade expressed hope that Nexim Bank will support Cross River State to become a major exporter of goods.
Speaking earlier, the Deputy governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Board Chairman, Nexim Bank, Okwu Joseph Nnanna, expressed excitement over the industrial park, affirming that the factories will boost job creation and economic empowerment.
His words: “We are impressed with what we have seen. Nexim Bank is established to encourage industrial parks of this nature as well as the factories that are located here. We are very happy to support the project because the job creation is fantastic and is a game changer.”
He said "if the government of Cross River State has need for financing, they will discuss with the executives of Nexim Bank, for what we have seen here is fantastic and similar to the projects we have financed at the federal level. This is truly impressive given the time it was done."
Okwu lauded the governor for establishing the industries, saying "this is job creation, economic empowerment for men and women, youths and the vulnerable. It is fantastic and there is no where to be compared."
On his part, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Abba Bello revealed that his bank already has a Memorandum of Understanding with the state and as such, is willing to partner with the state.
Hear him: "We already have an MoU with Cross River State government. As a trade partner, we are on ground to look at the value that we want to see created which is job creation, how we can help increase yield and have an off-take price from the factory."
Bello assured that Nexim Bank will support the factories at the Ayade industrial park to go into export as the bank is involved in non oil promotion.