Mr. Bob Steetskamp, Dr. Bukola Saraki, and Mr. Jacob Ajekigbe at the Launch

Kwara State governor, Dr. Abubabakar Bukola Saraki on Thursday (August 19, 2010) commissioned a Dairy Development Program at Shonga in the Edu local government area of the state. The aim of the program is to make the products of the Shonga dairy consortium more accessible to members of the the public.The program is a joint project between the Kwara State government, WAMCO Campina Friesland (makers of Peak, Three Crowns, and Friso brands of milk), and the Shonga dairy consortium.

Under the program, the Shonga dairy consortium will supply WAMCO Campina Friesland with fresh milk for production purposes. This will be the first fresh milk collection initiative of WAMCO Campina Friesland in 35 years of operation. The Shonga dairy consortium currently has one of the largest dairy farms in the country. It has 850 milking cows, and is capable of producing 60,000 liters of fresh milk per day.

According to the The Managing Director of Friesland Campina WAMCO, Mr. Bob Steetskamp, the program was made possible by the commitment of Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, whom he met at a meeting of stakeholders in the Nigerian agricultural sector about 6 months ago. He revealed the that the meeting was a turning point for WAMCO, which decided to embark on the Dairy Development Programme speedily. He expressed the readiness of WAMCO to explore all opportunities to ensure the success of dairy development in Nigeria. He however called on the Federal Government to provide moral and material support to overcome bureaucratic problems among others.


Dr. Bukola Saraki being conducted around Shonga dairy farm


Jersey cows at the Shonga dairy farm


Part of the Shonga milk processing factory

Speaking at the event, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki said the commisioning of the Dairy Development Program further goes to show the commitment of his administration to its commercial agricultural project. According to him, "with the commissioning today, it will further prove to the people that we mean business." Indeed the Kwara State Government under Dr. Bukola Saraki has been unflagging in its commitment to its commercial agriculture project, leaving nothing to chance in order to ensure its success.

Dr. Saraki said that his administration wanted to demonstrate to the whole country that its policies and programs were achievable. He also called on the Federal government to follow suit by creating an enabling atmosphere to encourage firms to come and invest in the country. He observed with dismay the low quality of milk available for sale in the Nigerian market. He pointed out that the modern milk factory of the Shonga dairy consortium produces ultra-high temperarure (UHT) milk, which is of high quality.

Mr. Jacob Ajekigbe, the chairman of the board of directors (WAMCO) also spoke at the event. He commended the hpst communities for their cooperation and expressed the willingness of WAMCO wo carry the partnership to the next level.

Underlying Mission Statement
“I dream of a day when graduates of accounting or banking and finance would prefer to own and run their own farm rather than seek banking jobs; a day when young men and women who hold degrees on engineering or any other degrees in farming, not because they have options, but because they regard farming as a more lucrative enterprise.”
“I dream of a young man or women in jeans and T-shirt walking into a bank with his laptop. And on his computer he is able make a cash-flow analysis and other business argument to persuade demonstrated profitability of his farming venture”
-  Gov. Bukola Saraki

Malete Youth Farm Centres New Frontiers
Since its flag off in August 2005, the Malete Integrated Youth farm project has enjoyed tremendous increases in clout and goodwill. Though it has one natural advantage which attracts goodwill as populist programme intended to engender empowerment, its handlers have also been prodigiously creative, not just to sustain it but to perpetually keep the project focused and on path.


Governor Bukola Saraki presenting a certificate to one of the graduands of Malete Youth Farm on the occasion of the graduating ceremony.

As an institution with the dual mandate of being a breeding ground for successor generation of farmers and an establishment conceived and nurtured to generate profit, innovation indispensably remains an oiling factor to remain flourishing.

Rather than relenting and basking in the euphoria of these past years of success stories, the management of these past years of success stories, the management of the farm has chosen to be on its toes, seeking ways to keep the project ahead of its peers.
 
There is even the more compelling need to continually put on its thinking cap in view of the frightening mortality rate of such initiative across the country in contemporary times: of all the 22 such projects run variously by both public and private concerns, less than a quarter of them are presently running and in good health.
According to the outline of its latest strategic work plans, the emphasis will continue to be on “delivering quality and technology-driven agricultural training, profit oriented, sustainable agricultural activities and equipment rental and leasing services capable of growing the bottom line” for maximum profitability.
The youth farm centre and its outstations are presently under going deliberate re-engineering so as to position then to maximally benefit from the running rebranding effort of Governor Bukola Saraki in the agricultural sector.


Group of Graduands

At these troubles times of global economic miasma, further compounded by the restiveness in the energy sector, the farm centre canvasses “a shift to commercial agriculture” as a viable option for the nation realisation of its socio-economic objectives on the new millennium.
In this respect, a reorientation of the citizens toward positive altitude to agriculture and agricultural activities is expedient. No longer should agriculture be perceived as a vocation exclusively for the indigent or the unemployed.

Thus, the centre is redoubling its efforts to “train farmers in modern agriculture, generate employment” and to develop a commercially sustainable and enduring agricultural programme sufficient to meet contemporary challenges.
Through what it calls balanced portfolio on investment, the farm centre intends to create and preserve wealth by diversification. The initiative will also further “Strengthen existing systems, update the curriculum and create new agricultural training schemes. This will also complementing, reduce risk, improve the quality of training and generate additional income streams.


Governor Bukola Saraki in Malete at the flag-off of a new planting season.

As part of the new spirit geared toward improving internal processes, the Malete farm centre has “Set time specific and realistic targets for the various farm production units.”
More than ever, the present need has, according to the farm centre’s current strategic work plans, necessitated training and re-training of its staff to produce the desired quality of personnel required to achieve the target level of excellence.

In the centre’s reckons, this feat could hardly be achieved without providing necessary incentives tied to goal-target achievements. This will not only encourage efficiency but “control shrinkage activities” as well as reduced pilfering to the barest minimum.Because of some mechanical limitation, activation of soya beans would be de emphasised in the 2010 current planting season.


Buldozer at Malete Youth Farm preparing farmland for a new planting season.

More attention, going by the farm centre’s outlined work plans, would be given to maize and cassava cultivation as priority commercial crops in the new season. This seemingly curious decision may not be unconnected with the unpredictable circumstance of market season and the natural fire disaster (as a result of bush burning) suffered at the malete and the oke-oyi farms last year when over 70 hectares of maize and soya beans were destroyed by fire.
With about 13 modern equipment, accommodation and other infrastructural facilities to guarantee the needed comfort of the staff and trainees at the centre, it is arguably the better of its kind around. Not even the A.g. Leventis Group’s attempt in this respect is comparable to the malete youth farm centre as recent reports have it that most of its farm have been forced to close down by circumstances.

As an upwardly mobile institution its immediate project according to the present Farm Manager Mr Babatunde A. Akinsinde, one of his many projections is to make the centre a self sustaining one, though still essentially built on a solidly working public – private partnership.
To achieve this it intends to strengthen and foster “Collaborations with relevant organisations and research institutes such as the IITA, Kwara State University (KWASU)”, Grain Research Institute, Cocoa Research Institute in setting up on-farm demonstration plots so as to showcase the benefits of improved technology and dissemination of results for commercialisation on graduands settlement- farms.


Set of motorcycle presented to the graduating farmers

It also plans to establish a small-scale cassava processing mill to add value to raw tubers as well as to serve as a processing hub for improving lives and livelihood of resource poor farmers in the community.The Apodu Dam is also planned to be a major source of water for a projected modern irrigation scheme to train and serve a 100 hectares farm land of cultivated vegetation and maize throughout the year.

Farming at its best in dry season – How?
Though not particularly new, the Malete Integrated Youth Agricultural Training Farm Center is introducing a fresh, less stressful and profitable method to dry season farming.
Irrigation as an influential method in farming is not strange, especially with farmers in Northern Nigeria. Whether there are enough facilities or technical knowhow to optimize the benefits there-from is another issue.

Even in places where there are relevant facilities and necessary technical know-how, it is in doubt if the accruing benefits are maximized.
The Malete Youth Farm Center is not now just interested in, on its own, changing the story; it is also through a deliberate effort, teaching people to change the story for better.

Starting the demonstration dry season farming initiative with 100 hectares vegetables and fresh maize, the water supplies from the Apodu Dam promises an uninterrupted irrigation throughout the dry season.

It may not be Apodu Dam in your own case; it may be another river that has an equally long life span that guarantees the sustenance of this worthwhile initiative.
While a better fed world community is grateful to you, you will be better off, richer and more fulfilled for taking bold initiative. Let’s wean our world from the stereotyping, straight jacket life of a mono season. God didn’t make it so.

The spacious and well powered refrigeration at the cargo terminal will be of immense advantage to dairy farmers and those into horticulture who will be eager to take advantage of the large markets in Europe, now brought within their reach by the singular presence of this cargo terminal.

Ilorin, the Kwara State capital enjoys a robustly unique advantage of its central location. The State Capital itself as emerging megacity is a major link to the North West, North Central and the South West. This, in itself is a rare advantage that is hoped to be maximized by the cargo terminal and its users.

Though with far less capacity, the overstressed cargo facilities at Murtala Mohammed will be relieved when Ilorin Cargo Terminal commences operations.The new infrastructure promises to be a great leveller for all users as it offers to give equal, but competitive opportunities to all. It also offers to make the difference as it promises a unique selling point of time, a vital consideration in contemporary business world.

Customs and other officials are billed to be at their duty posts attending to passengers with a compelling urge to optimize quality services.
When it commences works, the Ilorin Cargo Terminal with the facilities and the capacity it parades, will arguably, be the biggest in the West Africa sub-region. And because of the unique advantage of its location, will be the most patronized.

Source: Kwara State Web Site

The Ilorin International Airport Cargo Terminal nearing completion makes statement. It is an unambiguous statement about the new status of Kwara State as an emerging force in the socio-economic development of contemporary Nigeria. And later this year when it finally commences operation, even the most incurable cynic will have no option than to concede this asserted status as one of the most upwardly mobile states in the country, economically.

Conceived and nurtured to answer some salient developmental questions of today as well as to sufficiently address future infrastructural challenges. The importance of Cargo Terminal of this magnitude can hardly be over-exaggerated in a developing economy that is forward looking.

The multi-billion naira infrastructure is a deliberate pragmatic move to give teeth to robust socio-economic politics of the Governor Bukola Saraki Administration since 2003. The immediate beneficiary of this project will be the agricultural sector because of the export generation drive of the present administration.


Ilorin International Airport Cargo Terminal (side view)


Ilorin International Airport Cargo Terminal (front view)

As a product of a well thought out policy initiative, the Cargo Terminal, by its location and design, is comprehensively positioned to take care of arising multivarious cargo needs of its  immediate environment – the North Central Zone and the South West of Nigeria, and indeed, ultimately the West African sub-region. It is modern by all considerations with the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities.

The cargo shed now 98% completed is a twin-chambered edifice with the export and import section. Each of the two section is 1,260 cubic meters capacity with cold rooms for cold and wet storage of goods that are time-sensitive. The sufficiently generous spaces of the sheds, especially the cold rooms are anticipated to take care of processed products and materials.

A parade of the state-of-the-art equipment at the cargo terminal presently shows the fire-fighting vehicles, security patrol vehicles, a cargo screening machine; airfield recovery equipment, airfield ground control equipment, water tanker, trolley made of stainless steel, ramp handling services equipment and a 15 KVA Inverter for cargo aircraft night handling.

At the Cargo Terminal too are modern facilities like an ice machine, a high pressure cleaner, UV dryer, weighing scales and a stainless steel system.


One of the cold rooms


The Generator House

The ramp links the cargo shed to the loading bay where trailers and truck can load and offload goods. The roller shutter is both manually and electronically controlled.
Work is still continuing in the apron where planes land to load and offload. It is 70 meters x 100 meters. The apron is the link between the tarmac and the cargo shed. Work on the apron had reportedly reached about 40% level last year before a minor alteration (little expansion) was effected on it and the service road.

The front forwarder that is designed to be the administrative building is presently ready for use. Though a federal project, the construction of the cargo terminal is presently being founded by the state government with the expectation of being reimbursed later by the apex government.

Everything about the cargo terminal project is built to the specification of the Federal Aviation Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which is in turn informed by the standards of the International Aviation regulatory body.

When it becomes operational, the cargo terminal’s immediate major beneficiaries will be the New Nigerian Farmers in Shonga whose Agricultural produce will be taken to markets in South Africa, Europe and other parts of the globe. These products include dairy products, cassava and poultry as well as horticultural products.

Source: Kwara State Web Site
 

By Olanrewaju Lawal
Tuesday, July 20, 2010

A few years ago, the Federal Government, under the leadership of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, invited the white farmers who had been asked to leave Zimbabwe by the government of Robert Mugabe. The former president had asked the Kwara state government, led by Governor Bukola Saraki, to give the farmers some acres of land for commercial farming. Since then, the farmers quartered at Shonga, in Edu local government of the state have continued to grow and harvest crops and animals such as maize, millet, rice, cassava, plantains and poultry.

Journalists in the state recently toured the area to assess how well or otherwise the project had fared and discovered that the commercial agriculture initiative, which effectively started in the state on 13, 000 hectares of land, in an area at the bank of River Niger in Shonga, has yielded encouraging dividends, despite the fact that at the initial stage, the initiative was characterised by criticisms, as many did not know the visitors’ intentions. Speaking with journalists, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Mohammed Gana-Yisa, said one of the reasons for establishing commercial farm was to achieve food security and create job opportunities.

He said: “The administration has recorded more than what it set out to achieve, in the sense that from crop cultivation, government has moved up to agro-industries at Shonga; and, more importantly, the fact that commercial agriculture which was initiated in Kwara state has made federal government to initiate steps to bring commercial agriculture to all parts of the country.”

“Today, from Shonga to other farms these crops are cultivated in large quantities to the extent that Kwara state has become the source of raw materials for other food industries in other states of the federation.

“I want to say clearly that more commercial farms have been established in the state because of the conducive environment that was created by the government. Most of the farms have been moving from mere cultivation to processing,’’ he said.

Continuing, he explained: “Today, we have a modern gari processing facility for quality gari production. Also, the Coga Farms has bought equipment for the production of starch and flour. They are only waiting for the government to assist them with provision of water, so that they can start processing these products.”

Governor Saraki, while speaking on the farmers’ location during an unscheduled inspection visit to the area, said: “The choice of the location is deliberate. It is now an incorporated company with shareholders and board of directors. It has three syndicated groups: Diary, Poultry and the Mixed Farming groups.

Peoples Daily learnt that the Mixed Farming group in the farm has, so far, cultivated a total of 4, 453 hectares of land.

Also, the Dairy syndicate has over 800 heads of cattle with the capacity of producing 50, 000 litres of milk a day, while the current production level is 7, 500 litres of fresh milk a day. These products are already being sold in the local markets in various parts of the state.

The state government is also providing fresh milk and supplying to pupils in primary and junior secondary schools, and some selected institutions in the state.







On June 6, the poultry outputs recorded a major breakthrough when it commenced the production on its 10, 000 frozen chickens per day factory located in the farm.
Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the inspection, Governor Saraki expressed satisfaction with what the infant processing factory has been able to achieve within the short period of commencing production.

He said: “With the success story of Shonga Farms and the Dairy factory, as well as the new chicken processing factory just coming on board, I am very optimistic that agriculture is capable of diversifying the economy.”

The governor noted that the farm would be used to reduce and check the country’s over dependence on oil and unemployment, particularly among the youths, saying: “This part is a proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country.”

Saraki emphasised the farm’s multiplier effects on the economy, saying that processed frozen chickens from the farm would be supplied to household, retail shops, super markets within the state and its environs.

Speaking with journalists, the Factory’s Leader and Head of Operations, Mr Piet Dutoit, explained that the plant was currently producing 2,500 processed frozen chickens per day, but that the factory had the capacity to step - up to 10,000 chickens per day.

He said the farm had, so far, engaged 42 workers, “who are all natives of the host community,’’ adding that more hands would still be required as the farm continued to expand.









Detoit disclosed that the factory had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with about four firms on marketing of its product within and outside the state.

He, however, said commercial partners from the south-east and south-south geo-political zones of the country had already signified interest in doing business with the farm as distributors, adding that the International Market had been placed on the waiting-list in order to satisfy the local market first.

The General Manager, in charge of processing, Morne Vander Merwe, assured the people that frozen chickens from Shonga Poultry Farms are of good quality that could compete favourably with frozen chickens from any part of the world, noting that the farm would not compromise standards.

Merwe said: “Currently, we have got four partners in the project, and each has one fully operational chicken house; each house has the capacity to house 25,000 chickens. Three chicken houses per farm is our target.

The equipment for those houses have been shipped into the country. Ultimately, we hope to have 400, 000 birds in the four farms.”

They (poultry farmers) explained that their target in the first phase “is the production of 2, 500 chickens per day, afterwards I want to increase the capacity to 5, 000, and then to 7, 500, which is the capacity of the current plant. After that, we will increase the plant’s cooling system, and then increase production to 10, 000 daily.We have got marketing assistance based in Ilorin.”

He said: “We have signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with some promo food in the north, south-south and south-west regions of Nigeria.
Obviously, this is a new enterprise, but a lot of people still want to come to the table. We will be having a self-distribution of the products, but unfortunately, our buyers are predominantly people demanding either one or two kilos.

“However, we are out to sell at whole rates. Interestingly, the various states chambers of industry, mines and agriculture in the country have shown massive interest in our products. They want to sign MoU for distribution with us. Soprite and KFC foods wants to do business with us, and, for us, that is good news because that is big money,’’ he added.

“Even the state chairman of fast foods and catering association of Nigeria has disclosed the association’s willingness to partner with us. When we become up and kicking, we will also join the poultry association of Nigeria,” he stressed.

On the target consumers of the processed chickens they emphasised that “the products of the plant are not meant for export. A lot of legislation is attached to exportation.
Shonga Poultry Farm, in Kwara state.

“The internal demand in the country has been very phenomenal. Therefore, the local market is our target audience. We will focus on Ilorin and the whole of Kwara state before we think about other states. Although we cannot totally ignore exportation, we will do that in some years to come.”

According to him, it has not been a bed of roses as the company, just like any fledgling firm, reeks under the heavy hammer of some seemingly insurmountable challenges.

“Unfortunately, money is my major challenge. We need operating capital, and that runs into millions of the Naira. I also need packaging materials, which are not available locally. The first batch of 20,000 birds is in the region of N2.2million.In fact, everything here costs money,’’ he said.

“The other thing is manpower training. You don’t expect local employees to take on the speed of big processing chicken factory overnight. They have to be taught, shown and physically trained before they can do the job right,” he added.

While commending the operators for using modern and latest technologies, Governor Saraki noted that the development was like a practical demonstration of using agriculture and agro-allied concerns to drive the economy.

According to him, “with the success story of Shonga farm and the dairy factory, as well as the coming on board of the new chicken processing factory, I am very optimistic that agriculture is capable of diversifying the economy, thereby reducing the country’s overdependence on oil. This is a proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country.”

He also said processed chickens from the farm would be supplied to households, retail shops, and supermarkets across the state.

Source: People's Daily

By Olanrewaju Lawal
Tuesday, July 10, 2010

A few years ago, the Federal Government, under the leadership of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, invited the white farmers who had been asked to leave Zimbabwe by the government of Robert Mugabe. The former president had asked the Kwara state government, led by Governor Bukola Saraki, to give the farmers some acres of land for commercial farming. Since then, the farmers quartered at Shonga, in Edu local government of the state have continued to grow and harvest crops and animals such as maize, millet, rice, cassava, plantains and poultry.

Journalists in the state recently toured the area to assess how well or otherwise the project had fared and discovered that the commercial agriculture initiative, which effectively started in the state on 13, 000 hectares of land, in an area at the bank of River Niger in Shonga, has yielded encouraging dividends, despite the fact that at the initial stage, the initiative was characterised by criticisms, as many did not know the visitors’ intentions. Speaking with journalists, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Mohammed Gana-Yisa, said one of the reasons for establishing commercial farm was to achieve food security and create job opportunities.

He said: “The administration has recorded more than what it set out to achieve, in the sense that from crop cultivation, government has moved up to agro-industries at Shonga; and, more importantly, the fact that commercial agriculture which was initiated in Kwara state has made federal government to initiate steps to bring commercial agriculture to all parts of the country.”

“Today, from Shonga to other farms these crops are cultivated in large quantities to the extent that Kwara state has become the source of raw materials for other food industries in other states of the federation.

“I want to say clearly that more commercial farms have been established in the state because of the conducive environment that was created by the government. Most of the farms have been moving from mere cultivation to processing,’’ he said.

Continuing, he explained: “Today, we have a modern gari processing facility for quality gari production. Also, the Coga Farms has bought equipment for the production of starch and flour. They are only waiting for the government to assist them with provision of water, so that they can start processing these products.”

Governor Saraki, while speaking on the farmers’ location during an unscheduled inspection visit to the area, said: “The choice of the location is deliberate. It is now an incorporated company with shareholders and board of directors. It has three syndicated groups: Diary, Poultry and the Mixed Farming groups.

Peoples Daily learnt that the Mixed Farming group in the farm has, so far, cultivated a total of 4, 453 hectares of land.

Also, the Dairy syndicate has over 800 heads of cattle with the capacity of producing 50, 000 litres of milk a day, while the current production level is 7, 500 litres of fresh milk a day. These products are already being sold in the local markets in various parts of the state.

The state government is also providing fresh milk and supplying to pupils in primary and junior secondary schools, and some selected institutions in the state.







On June 6, the poultry outputs recorded a major breakthrough when it commenced the production on its 10, 000 frozen chickens per day factory located in the farm.
Fielding questions from newsmen shortly after the inspection, Governor Saraki expressed satisfaction with what the infant processing factory has been able to achieve within the short period of commencing production.

He said: “With the success story of Shonga Farms and the Dairy factory, as well as the new chicken processing factory just coming on board, I am very optimistic that agriculture is capable of diversifying the economy.”

The governor noted that the farm would be used to reduce and check the country’s over dependence on oil and unemployment, particularly among the youths, saying: “This part is a proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country.”

Saraki emphasised the farm’s multiplier effects on the economy, saying that processed frozen chickens from the farm would be supplied to household, retail shops, super markets within the state and its environs.

Speaking with journalists, the Factory’s Leader and Head of Operations, Mr Piet Dutoit, explained that the plant was currently producing 2,500 processed frozen chickens per day, but that the factory had the capacity to step - up to 10,000 chickens per day.

He said the farm had, so far, engaged 42 workers, “who are all natives of the host community,’’ adding that more hands would still be required as the farm continued to expand.









Detoit disclosed that the factory had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with about four firms on marketing of its product within and outside the state.

He, however, said commercial partners from the south-east and south-south geo-political zones of the country had already signified interest in doing business with the farm as distributors, adding that the International Market had been placed on the waiting-list in order to satisfy the local market first.

The General Manager, in charge of processing, Morne Vander Merwe, assured the people that frozen chickens from Shonga Poultry Farms are of good quality that could compete favourably with frozen chickens from any part of the world, noting that the farm would not compromise standards.

Merwe said: “Currently, we have got four partners in the project, and each has one fully operational chicken house; each house has the capacity to house 25,000 chickens. Three chicken houses per farm is our target.

The equipment for those houses have been shipped into the country. Ultimately, we hope to have 400, 000 birds in the four farms.”

They (poultry farmers) explained that their target in the first phase “is the production of 2, 500 chickens per day, afterwards I want to increase the capacity to 5, 000, and then to 7, 500, which is the capacity of the current plant. After that, we will increase the plant’s cooling system, and then increase production to 10, 000 daily.We have got marketing assistance based in Ilorin.”

He said: “We have signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) with some promo food in the north, south-south and south-west regions of Nigeria.
Obviously, this is a new enterprise, but a lot of people still want to come to the table. We will be having a self-distribution of the products, but unfortunately, our buyers are predominantly people demanding either one or two kilos.

“However, we are out to sell at whole rates. Interestingly, the various states chambers of industry, mines and agriculture in the country have shown massive interest in our products. They want to sign MoU for distribution with us. Soprite and KFC foods wants to do business with us, and, for us, that is good news because that is big money,’’ he added.

“Even the state chairman of fast foods and catering association of Nigeria has disclosed the association’s willingness to partner with us. When we become up and kicking, we will also join the poultry association of Nigeria,” he stressed.

On the target consumers of the processed chickens they emphasised that “the products of the plant are not meant for export. A lot of legislation is attached to exportation.
Shonga Poultry Farm, in Kwara state.

“The internal demand in the country has been very phenomenal. Therefore, the local market is our target audience. We will focus on Ilorin and the whole of Kwara state before we think about other states. Although we cannot totally ignore exportation, we will do that in some years to come.”

According to him, it has not been a bed of roses as the company, just like any fledgling firm, reeks under the heavy hammer of some seemingly insurmountable challenges.

“Unfortunately, money is my major challenge. We need operating capital, and that runs into millions of the Naira. I also need packaging materials, which are not available locally. The first batch of 20,000 birds is in the region of N2.2million.In fact, everything here costs money,’’ he said.

“The other thing is manpower training. You don’t expect local employees to take on the speed of big processing chicken factory overnight. They have to be taught, shown and physically trained before they can do the job right,” he added.

While commending the operators for using modern and latest technologies, Governor Saraki noted that the development was like a practical demonstration of using agriculture and agro-allied concerns to drive the economy.

According to him, “with the success story of Shonga farm and the dairy factory, as well as the coming on board of the new chicken processing factory, I am very optimistic that agriculture is capable of diversifying the economy, thereby reducing the country’s overdependence on oil. This is a proof that it can be done and a challenge to other parts of the country.”

He also said processed chickens from the farm would be supplied to households, retail shops, and supermarkets across the state.

Source: People's Daily

GANMO POWER PROJECT: A Timely Elixir

In Nigeria the months preceding December 2008 were not quite pleasant months to remember in the troubled energy sector of the economy. It was a period the crisis in the energy sector peaked to a phenomenally embarrassing level as power supply nationwide ebbed to an all-time low, oscillating between 1,800MW and 2,400MW. As the energy crisis appeared to have defiled all known solutions, the economy of the entire nation was almost literally lying on its belly. It was such a desperate situation that rigorously tasked the leaders as well as the led. Something urgently needed to be done to safe Nigeria from the nightmarish experience.

Just about this time as if it was meant to be a Christmas gift to the people of Kwara State, the Ganmo Power Project commenced operation. And like a replenished hurricane lamp, the entire power supply in the State was rekindled, regaining full power supply in the State life. It has never looked back since then.

In the last one decade or so, there has been a legion suggested solutions to the enduring energy crisis that has chased many investors out of business. The crippling effects of the crisis tell the story better with the mortality rate and emigration of industries out of the inclement zone that Nigeria had suddenly become.
   
But the premier interventionist initiative of Governor Bukola Saraki, as typified by the Ganmo Power Project, has radically changed the story. Located in Ganmo, a sleepy neigbouring community of Ilorin, the power project has since asserted itself as an instant success as it has become an influential reference point in our collective attempt as a nation to solve the sectoral problem.

Before the commencement of the Ganmo Power Project, Kwara State energy needs were precariously sustained (like other states of the federation) on a meager 40MW. Then, the state’s power supply absolutely depended on supplies from Jebba (in Kwara State) and Oshogbo (in Osun State) power stations. However, the story has changed for better since 2008 December when the power station was energized.

Ganmo Power Complex in view 











The Ganmo Power Project by conception and execution has comprehensively addressed the immediate and future needs of the State, taking into cognizance the projected power needs of a modern industrialized State. The configuration of the power station complex itself is robust and amorphous with state-of-the-art equipment to optimize its functioning. Its working capacity is 2x150MVA and 2x60MVA 330/132KV.

Presently, there are six energized lines, but only three of it are actively in use. The three lines in use supply Idofian, Igbaja, Oke-Ode, Gbuugbuu; Agba Dam, Gaa Imam, Asa Dam, Dangote, Adewole Estate, Airport Area. The other three lines are waiting to be used as the on-going expansion and distribution works are completed.

Out of the 300MVA presently generated, the power consumption level of the State has just increased from the initial 40MVA to 100MVA. Apart from the convenient balance of the 200MVA still latent, there is plan in the power complex for another 300MVA for anticipated future increase in the power consumption of the State. In other words, the complex can still serve well over 200% of the state’s present power needs. According to one of the resident engineers, working in the complex, “in engineering there are usually the 5 years and 15 years forecast, which accommodates any anticipated increases”. The present capacity of the station is configured to accommodate the needs of the state even beyond this projected period. Thus, available supply to the state presently stands variously at 5, 12, 15, 25, 50, 60, 80MW. Alternative supply routes are still Omu-Aran, Offa, Oshogbo and challenge (Ilorin) District.

The twin supply sources however remain Kainji and Oshogbo; the National control centres that links the state to the national grid. Some parts of the state, especially in Ilorin metropolis presently enjoy uninterrupted 20 hours power supply; this is, indeed, quite salutary. There is the assurance from the power holdings company of Nigeria(PHCN), an active partner in the Ganmo power project that others will enjoy even more by the time the distribution networking presently on-going is completed. The instant improvement in power supply now enjoyed by customers in Adewole Esate and Airport area is as a result of the construction of the Adeta and Agba Dam substations.

Interestingly, the Ganmo power project has changed the status of Kwara state from the vampiric club of consumer states to a reckoned benefactor. The station presently supplies Offa, Oshogbo and others as the need arises.

The benefit of this project which occupies the pilot position in contemporary Nigeria is inestimable. It is particularly so for a country that is genuinely working assiduously to join 20 most industrialized nations globally, by the year 2020.
In its host community, Ganmo the effect of this power project is profound. Because of unarguably stable power supply, the socio economic lives of this hitherto sedate community have been ignited. Living Standard generally has been graciously elevated.
Kwara state, more than ever before presently witness an unprecedented influx of investors of different shades and carriage. Power stability among other related indices has made Kwara investor’s destination.

The resultant effect of this is that the State is presently bristling with activities. The Ganmo power project has become the proverbial elixir, a life-giving tonic that revived lives in Kwara State. Other States of the federation are now green with envy and have since been coming for a blueprint so as to replicate the wonders in their respective domains.

 

Industrialists Commend Stable Power Supply In Kwara State

Mr. Arowolo Johnson,
Personnel/Admin Manager,
Tuyil Pharmaceutical Company Nig. Ltd, Ilorin.

We at Tuyil will forever be grateful to the Governor Bukola Saraki administration for its initiative in the area of stabilizing power supply in the state. This has paid off greatly.

Before the Ganmo Power Project came, we consumed nothing less than 10 drums of diesel monthly. But now with unprecedented stable power supply, we hardly use one drum of diesel within the same period. This is quite salutary.

We have many reasons to be grateful to the present administration: Apart from the fact that private power generation for industries is capital intensive, we have also since discovered that the use of generator often adversely affect our machines. Only a stable power supply ensured by the PHCN is good for the health of our machines.

The stable power supply has also increased our production level and has equally broadened our market base. We have developed from about five products at inception to about 82 products presently. We also have about 22 depots across the country.

We expect that very soon the cargo terminal will take off so as to reduce the challenges we face in transporting our cargos from the Lagos port by road.


Mr. Mokeke Jude,
Human Resources/Admin Manager,
Dangote Flour Mills, Ilorin.

Power supply has improved since early last year (2009). And you will agree with me that that was when the Ganmo Power Station was energized. This improvement is incontrovertible as even the most incurable cynic will admit this phenomenal improvement.

Our reliance on the PHCN power supply is quite on the high side because of our operations. Now our reliance rate on the PHCN power is about 88%. We use our generators sparingly to source for the remaining 12%.

The private sector community of the Nigerian economy has positively identified Kwara State as an emerging investors’ destination with great potentials still waiting to be tapped. This is why companies, industries are presently trooping to the state.

Stable power supply and a secured atmosphere which have become Kwara State’s middle names are great assets in industrial circle.

This new regime of stable power supply has helped our production level. Presently, we are increasing our production level from 500 tons to 1,000 tons daily. This development has its multiple advantages for us as a company – increase in output and turnover, and increase in number of factory hands needed – which are drawn from the host communities.

This present government has done very well. We only hope the next administration will be able to sustain this high level performance.

Engr. Yahaya Hussein,
KAM WILL Industry Nig. Ltd,
Asa Dam, Road, Ilorin.

I must be honest with you, we are grateful to the Governor Bukola Saraki administration. He has done commendably well on the issue of power supply. Power Supply has improved significantly since the commissioning of the Ganmo Power Project. We particularly started experiencing this in January this year. Before January 2010, we used to enjoy power supply between 15 to 17 hours daily. But now, it has hopped up to between 22 to 23 hours daily. You will agree with me that in the Nigeria of today, this is quite significant.

The development has also drastically cut down on our diesel consumption often needed to power our generators in times of power outage which were incessant before January this year. But we must add that we still occasionally experience fluctuations, which we learnt is being attended to. And in domestic power supply, there is still more to be done in the area of distribution as some areas in Ilorin are still being subjected to shifts. For instance, where I live in Ilorin enjoys electricity between 8 to 10 hours daily. But admittedly, power supply has improved appreciably.

…And The Saw Millers Too.

Mallam Ibrahim Isa,
Irewolede Saw Mill,
Ilorin

We are presently enjoying a steady power supply like never before. I have been in the saw milling business for about 40 years now. The regular power supply we enjoy in this place presently is unprecedented.

The volume of business is so much that we, at times, turn back customers because we work from dawn to dusk. However, this wouldn’t have been possible without a stable power supply.

Here we enjoy everything - a brand new, high powered transformer, stable power supply; all these have combined to engender a boom in business for us. We cannot thank Governor Bukola Saraki enough. We wish it were possible to prolong the tenure of this administration for another fresh term. However, we pray the coming administration will be able to sustain this laudable legacy of Governor Saraki.

Source: Kwara State Government Website

Dr. Bukola Saraki has undoubtedly positioned himself front and center as the primary spokesman and advocate of Kwara State. He has not let any opportunity to attract investment to Kwara State pass him by. Once again in faraway Seattle (United States) he has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kwara State Association of North America, KSANG on the provision of medical facilities and equipment.

According to the terms of the MOU which was signed in Seattle, Washington State at the weekend (Saturday, July 3, 2010), the state government is expected to work within the framework of the Health Project to develop the new medical facilities in order to improve access to good health care for all Kwarans.

It is also expected to work with the KSANG health committee to provide estimated cost of upgrading existing medical facilities to a desirable standard level that will provide state-of-the-art healthcare to the people. The state government will also provide the financial resources for the upgrading of community health centres in the state and the building of new ones.