ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri is set to inaugurate a 60-metric tonnes cassava starch factory built by the government at Ebedebiri in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state.
Diri, who made this known during an inspection tour of the factory, called on the people of the state to go back to the farms as the current production capacity of the people would not be enough to service the factory.
In order to meet the plant’s expected production capacity, the Governor urged Bayelsans to engage in massive cassava farming, a statement on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said.
Diri, who expressed satisfaction with the level of work done, noted that due to its production capacity, the quantity of cassava produced in the state would not be enough for it to produce at full capacity.
He called on the people to go into cassava farming as it would be a source of revenue generation not only to the state but also the people.
He said: “This is an indication that our people have to go back to the farms as what we are producing now would not be enough for the factory. So, I call on all Bayelsans to be very serious with cassava farming and production.
“All the necessary tools and machines are here. We are talking about commercial farming so you can make money.”
Diri commended his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, for embarking on the project aimed at producing starch for industrial purpose.
He also thanked the host community for securing the plant against vandalism.