By Leonard Okachie
The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises for the Niger Delta (LIFE-ND) has handed over a rice processing mill to Amamba Uzuakoli community, Bende Local Government Area, Abia.
The facility was handed over to the Commodity Apex Development Association (CADA) to ensure community ownership and sustainable management.
The State Project Coordinator, Dr Uchenna Onyeizu, said LIFE-ND had empowered more than 5,000 youths and women through its interventions.
Onyeizu, represented by Mr Anthony Nwaobilor, State Rural Institution, Youth and Gender Officer, said the mill would improve incomes, food security and employment.
“Today represents more than transfer of a physical facility. It represents transfer of responsibility and strengthening of community ownership,” he said.
He urged CADA to manage the facility transparently, accountably and fairly, in accordance with LIFE-ND guidelines.
“This facility must be managed in collective interest,” he said, stressing the need to protect the investment.
He expressed hope that the mill would become a centre of opportunity, productivity and sustainable agribusiness development.
The State Agribusiness Promotion Officer, Mr Godwin Chukwuekezie, described the facility as a one-stop centre for rice processing.
He said the equipment included a winnowing machine, steam boiler, automatic dryer, milling machine, de-stoning machine and power engine.
Chukwuekezie explained that farmers could process paddy into finished rice within a day through parboiling, drying, milling and de-stoning.
He added that an operation and maintenance team had been established to ensure preventive maintenance and the equipment’s sustainability.
The President-General of Amamba Uzuakoli, Mr Nelson Umuezurike, expressed appreciation to LIFE-ND for locating the multi-million-naira project in the community.
He said the intervention would help reduce youth restiveness while creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for residents.
In his response, CADA Chairman, Mr Chibueze Ihedioha, pledged that the association would manage the facility fairly and responsibly.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ceremony featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and presentation of the facility’s keys to CADA leadership.
(NAN)
