UK Global Company Set To Build Biodiesel Refinery In Cross River State Using Moringa Crop

UK Global Company Set To Build Biodiesel Refinery In Cross River State Using Moringa Crop

©️ By JAE Media

Governor Otu's administration has instilled confidence in a promising and secure future, garnering the attention of foreign investors who now regard Cross River State as one of the most rapidly advancing agricultural business hubs in Nigeria.

Recently,  a group addressed as the "UK Global Company"  interfaced with the State Government on a proposal to establish 7,500 BDP Biodiesel refinery using Moringa tree crop in Cross River State.

Commencing the virtual meeting via Zoom, His Excellency Sen. Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State, extended a warm welcome to the attendees and expressed his enthusiastic endorsement of the proposed initiative. He wholeheartedly committed to providing unwavering support to the team, underscoring his dedication to ensuring the project's resounding success.

To this end, the Governor instructed the Commissioner for lands, Chief Dr Francis Ekpeyong  to avail the required land space to the team. He encouraged the team to commence the process of obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals from the Federal Government. 

To further stress his commitment to the project, His Excellency Prince Bassey Edet Otu instructed the  Commissioner for Justice to steer the legal process required to allocate  the required hectres of  land that will enable the UK global group to commence Operations immediately.

 The Governor  unequivocally stated that,  the Cross River State Government shall revoke the land(s) after nine months if the company is unable to meet its obligations as stated in the proposal.

Responding, the state Projects development  Consultant Prof. Ebigwai Joseph accompanied by Mr Alsiddiq Ahmed Omer, the company's Project director  and Project funder, explained that the project shall be sited in Ogoja, Yala, Boki, Biase and Etung Local Government Areas of the state respectively. He explained that the LGAs mentioned above were selected due to the previous test sample carried out to ascertain that the soil can fully support the cultivation of moringa in the state, assured that Funds for the compensation process shall be provided by the investor after the enumeration and valuation of the land.

Ebigwai stated that the UK Global Company intends to grow 15,000 hecters of moringa tree crop in the above mentioned LGAs.

Set to Build a Biodiesel refinery that will produce 7,500 barrels per day using the moringa crop while the "seed cake" will be used as an alternative fertilizer source for other farm crops. 

Reacting, the Commissioner for lands pledged to work with the team to make land available  as directed by His Excellency,  prince Bassey Edet Otu. He also advised the team to ensure a smooth run of the project meeting all set timelines.

Similarly, The Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo who played host to the Investors, expressed satisfaction with the team's readiness and approach to the intended project, acknowledging that the team came with a complete squad as he noticed the presence of a commercial bank team (Zenith Bank) led by Ms Ijeoma Iloeje, the zenith  bank branch manager at the charmly branch office in Calabar.

The Agric Boss, called for immediate constitution of a technical team to drive the process in order to meet up with His Excellency's set timeline being nine months, to actualize the commencement and kick off period of the said project. Assuring that he is optimistic of the economic gaps the project will bridge when fully Operational.

The commissioner for Agriculture and irrigation development Hon. Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo swiftly put together an eight-man technical committee comprising of Himself, the Commissioner for Land, commissioner for justice. Other include, Mr.Bong Duke, Prof.Ebigwai, Mr.Abdulrazak(investors rep.) and Dr. Inyang.

This is to ensure that the two weeks deadline (November 5th 2023) set by His Excellency Sen Prince Bassey Edet  Otu for the identification and allocation of land is adhered to. 

The meeting also had in attendance Mr Bong Duke the Secretary Strategic policy Advisory Council to the Governor, the Permeant secretary Mr. Ekpe Bassey, Director of planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Clifford Oyira, Director of tree crops Mr Ubana Ubi Bassey, Director of Commercial Agriculture Mr Charles Ofulue, Director of Agric Services Mr Henry Etta, the State Coordinator for Project Grow ,Mr Denis Ikpali, the Director of cocoa , Mr Williams Ifere, among others.