Date: 2014-08-29

A former member of the House of Representatives, Gbenga Makanjola has been commended for the establishment of agro-processing plant for Gari and Cassava flour in Omu-Aran Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara state. Makanjuola, stressed that the rationale behind the setting up of the plant was to alleviate poverty among his people by creating job opportunity and wealth for the teaming youths in Omu-Aran and its environment. "During my time in the Federal House of Representatives as chairman, House Committee on Agriculture, I have taken the opportunity to see what I can do that will benefit people of my constituency positively as part of my constituency projects. And I discovered that our people are major producers of cassava and that is what prompted my decision to establish the processing plant to reduce wastage," he said Makanjuola explained that the farmers could easily make use of the processing plants close to them and bring their cassava for processing without having to spend much.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, who was represented by the Director of Special Duties, Mr. Chidi Nwandu, commended the initiator of the project, for his love and commitment to better the lots of farmers in his constituency.

According to the Permanent Secretary, Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world producing over (40million) tons annually.

He said, "The Nigerian Cassava sub-sector suffers regularly from a glut and consequently cause a decrease in harvest with a rise by as much as 50% every three year."