Despite criticisms trailing the N70 billion rice cultivation, processing and packaging deal between the Kwara State government and Valsolar group from Spain, the state government has said the project has come to stay.

Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Media and Communication, Dr Muideen Akorede, in a statement made available to Gamji in Ilorin, said the project had the capacity to transform the socio-economic well-being of the government and people of the state.

The governor's aide said the N70 billion rice joint venture with Vasolar Consultoria 2006 S.L. was the product of extensive negotiations, due diligence and the approval of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

"Giving the genesis of the agreement, the state government said it received a letter of intent from the Spanish investors in October 2011, seeking to partner with the state government to set up a rice cultivation, processing and packaging project in the state following a
recommendation by the Spanish Embassy in Nigeria.

"Considering that the company is undertaking similar ventures in other parts of Africa under Project Africa Rice, and in line with the government's policy of encouraging foreign direct investment, officials were subsequently dispatched to Spain to open discussions with the company," Akorede said.

The statement added that the delegation was also directed to conduct vigorous checks on Vasolar's legal status as well as access its capacity to invest the needed funds in the project.

These checks included original copies of Vasolar's Certificate of Incorporation, the articles and Memorandum of Association which were sighted and duly notarised copies obtained for the state government's record.

"Government also has duly notarised and authorised English translations of these documents which indicate that Vasolar was registered on 7 July, 2006, with registration No. B06479802 in Extre Madura Region of Spain," it read.