Imo Government calls for implementation of the law guiding operations of oil palm mill

 IMO GOVERNMENT CALLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION

 OF THE LAW GUIDING OPERATIONS OF OIL PALM MILL

 

 By Nightengale Ben-Onyeukwu

Imo State Government calls for the implementation of the law guiding the operations of oil palm mills law no 9 of 2020. According to the Special Adviser to the Governor of Imo State on oil palm Beaches, Abbattoirs, Agric produce pricing, monitoring and control, honourable Charles Ejiogu ,the pre -- independent Constitution of the Federation of Nigeria brought about the three regional geo -- political configuration of Northern , Western and Eastern Nigeria   , took ample cognisance of " True Federalism " which today's parlance simply connotes " Resource Control "

If further broken down , it translates to powers vested on the region's to appropriate resources within  their respective areas of jurisdiction and remit agreed revenue to the centre .

This arrangement made it easier for the region's which later became four following the creation of Midwest in 1963 ,  to leverage on their respective  resources of comparative advantage in running the conduct of Government business  .

It is on record that the North made groundout the mainstay of its economy thus , giving rise to the now moribund Groundnut Pyramids of Kano that placed Nigeria as the global largest producer / exporter .

Western Nigeria picked up the challenge and became a sub -- Saharan leading contender in the production and export of Cocoa .

The newly Midwest Region led in Rubber production and export.

Eastern Nigeria  was adjudged by world  economic rating experts as the fastest growing economy in Africa South of the Sahara . This was on account of its leadership role in the production and export of Palm produce and it's value chain . Little wonder , the Dr . Michael Okpara led Eastern Nigeria Government established numerous farm settlement prominent amongst which is the present day Adapalm in Imo State. That in essence , made Imo State ( Eastern Heartland) the hub of Palm produce East of the Niger .

State of Affairs .

Today ,  sequel to the exploration , exploitation and export of crude petroleum , agriculture across Nigeria , became criminally neglected and for Imo State in particular , accruable revenue from Palm produce dwindled and eventually faded into economic oblivion  .

Action Plan .

 Following from the above  , it is indeed heart warming that  the Shared Prosperity Government of His Excellency Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma, anchored on the 3R Agenda of Rehabilitation, Reconstruction and Recovery dusted the statute books and enacted / signed  into prominence , the Imo State Law No 9 of 2020 On " Registration/ Liciencing of Oil Palm Mills .

The primary objective of this piece of legislation was premised on the imperatives   of identifying all Oil Palm processing  Mills at the micro, small , medium , large and industrial levels   , harnessing their potentials for greater yields , creating job opportunities for the teeming unemployed youths  , creating the enabling environment for them to access credit facilities , curtailing the sharp marketing practices of  palm oil processors who are blinded by profit making instincts resulting in wicked  endangering of consumers /  public health   and the enhancement of revenue accruable to Government  .

In order to return Imo State back to its pre -eminent status as the leading producer of Palm produce in Nigeria , the Office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Oil Palm / Beaches has designed an initiative that will bring to fruition His Excellency the Governor ' s  desire to return Oil Palm production to its past glory within the shortest possible time.

This certainly calls for seamless synergy between the Office of Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture and  Natural Resources , other relevant Agencies of Government and the Office Of the Special Adviser , as the importance of  a coordinated " Inter -- Agencies  Relationship " in the conduct of Government business can not be over stressed .

For the purposes of giving  positive effect to the  implementation of the provisions of Imo State Law No 9 of 2020 On the  Registration/ Liciencing and Operations of Oil Palm Mills in Imo State  , I dutifully solicit the empathy and support of all relevant Government agencies and in particular, the Chairmen of the 27 Local Government Area Councils  , as the applicable measures will soon be unfolded in their respective Area Council  for the benefit of all Imolites  .