Cross River, Dantata, sign MOU to expand agro-industrialisation base

The Governor of Cross River State, Prof. Ben Ayade on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Dantata Foods and Allied products Limited with a view to expanding her agro-industrialisation base and create employment through Agricultural value chain.

Speaking at the event, which held at the Ministry of Commerce, Prof. Eyo Ita House, Calabar, the Commissioner for Commerce, Mrs Rosemary Archibong, who signed on behalf of the Governor, posited that the industrialisation drive of the Governor Ayade -led Administration continues to receive visibility as more investors are keying into the numerous opportunities in the State.

She emphasised that the leadership clairvoyance of Governor Ben Ayade is taking the State back to Agriculture -based prosperity and expressed deep appreciation to the Chairman of Dantata Foods, Alhaji Tajudeen Dantata and his team for identifying with the State.

The Commissioner noted that with the reputation of the Dantata dynasty in the business world, the State was confident that they will work with the urgency and importance to deliver on their agreement.

She stated that the Dantata Foods, was interested in setting up a Ginnery and other factories at the Ayade Industrial Park as well as being allocated five thousand (5,000) hectares of land for cultivation of groundnut, cotton; maize and soybeans. She called on other investors to avail themselves of the enormous business opportunities and secured environment made possible by the Ayade-led Administration.

Earlier, the Head, Strategic corporate communication, Dantata Foods and Allied products, Alhaji Sanusi Bature, who represented the Chairman, expressed delight over the prompt approvals by the Governor whom he described as “talk and work” Governor. He maintained that the Agro-allied opportunities in the State drew the company’s interest and they, began a walk last year.

Mr Bature said though the process was delayed by the COVID -19 pandemic but gladly culminating in the signing of the Memorandum of understanding. He looked forward to a robust lasting partnership between their company in Kano State and Cross River State.

Witnessing the signing, was the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Industries while the Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Commissioner for Agriculture, the Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry Mines and Agriculture, were ably represented as well as Zenith Bank and Bright Flow Logistics.