WOW! Read Why Cross River Gov, Ben Ayade Is Partnering With Thailand

Efforts by the Cross River state government to diversify its economy has received a major boost with the arrival of the management team of Thai-African Corporation Limited (TACL) in Calabar for the commencement of the development of a ‘Rice City’.

The project which is estimated to cost over $4 million would be cited along the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan bypass and will be take six months to be completed.

Inspecting the project site, the managing director of TACL, Mrs Pantipa Dhanagom acknowledged that the scheme will be a rice seedling centre producing the best rice seed to be grown in the area.

“It will become a training centre and a one-stop service which will also cater for out-growers in Nigeria and other African countries,” Dhanagom affirmed.

READ ALSO: Why I Am A PDP Governor With A Difference -Prof Ben Ayade

Noting the importance of the project in the development of the state, the governor of Cross River, Prof. Ben Ayade affirmed that the initiative would complement federal government’s efforts on agriculture even as the state is repositioning itself to properly utilize all of its natural resources.

“Cross River state wants to take the lead because it has excess land suitable for rice and we want to make sure that we bring in technology that will assist our people in making rice more productive. It is going to be a special kind of vitaminised rice that will help children grow faster with good retentive memory.”

Ayade also lauded Thailand for the choosing Cross River as a location for the Rice City adding that the City will be a place where all seedlings in Africa will be produced.

“It is a warm embrace between Thailand and Africa, as we are going to train our people on how to use the machines. It is going to be a place where all seedlings in Africa will be coming out from.”

The governor however disclosed that the project will also be a training school with a refectory and accommodation facilities to cater for young people who want to be specialists in rice production. According to Ayade, the centre will also be used for the certification of skilled personnel.

READ ALSO: Again Cross River Gov, Ben Ayade First To Pay January Salary

Promising that the Rice City will be extended to Obubra and Itigidi in the central senatorial district of the state, Bansara in the northern senatorial district as well as Nassarawa community in Calabar, Ayade said every government official must own a rice farm.

“As a government policy, every government official must own a rice farm”.

Speaking earlier on the choice of the project site, the managing director of TACL referred to the project site as the best location because of its proximity to the highway.

“On the choice of the project site, the MD said: “The land is suitable and it is also the best location because it is right on the highway and similar to the one his Excellency (Governor Ben Ayade) inspected in Thailand.”

Meanwhile, Prof Ben Ayade has revealed why he is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor with a difference.

Fielding questions from reporters at the state’s international airport in Calabar, Ayade posited that he prefers to be different from others because of his people (Cross Riverians) adding that politics should not be for the sake of politics but for the service of the people.

“We did not seek office for the mere sake of politics. Politics is (for) service to your people, it is not politics for the sake of politics. And so for me, I am focused on ensuring that I work with the president (Muhammadu Buhari) for the good of my people in Cross River state,” Ayade said.

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