through its agricultural value chain policy got a major boost with the
announcement of a partnership between the state government and Zenith
Bank.
This followed a visit by the management of the bank led by its Group
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu to
the various agricultural-processing factories located at the Ayade
Industrial Park in Calabar.
Speaking to newsmen after touring the factories, Onyeagwu said Governor
Ayade deserves commendation for his foresight, initiative and
determination to create an economy for the state through
industrialization.
According to him, “the essence of all of these factories is what we have
been talking about in this country. What I have seen here are factories
that are not just integrated but are also properly linked with the
ecosystem.”
He said beyond partnering with the state to deepen the agricultural
value chain efforts of the government, his bank is willing to also
provide advisory support services to the government.
“When the projects grow and get into incubation level, we could start
looking at providing and supporting the government with advisory
services to diversify and expand the ownership and move it to private
sector that would manage it”, he said
On economic impact of the Ayade industrialization policy, the Zenith
bank boss expressed optimism that the projects would create jobs, put
food on the table and help raise the people’s standard of living.
“It would help change the economic narrative of Cross River and Nigeria
as a country. I think Governor Ayade deserves commendation,” Onyeagwu
stated
While expressing his joy at the collaboration between his state and the
bank, Governor Ayade used the occasion to disclose he had signed a
contractual deal with John Del of USA via Tata to supply the state with
equipment for land clearing and soil preparation in furtherance of his
Agro- Industrialisation drive.