Foreign investors call on federal, state governments to extend electricity to Biakpan

Foreign investors in collaboration with their Nigerian counterparts have called on the federal and Cross River state governments as well as relevant authorities to extend electricity to Biakpan community in Biase local government area of Cross River state. The investors specialize on rubber processing plant had indicated interests and efforts to bring in rubber processing plant worth more than Ten Million Dollars as soon as Biakpan is electrified.

The investors claimed that the non-availability of electricity has affected commencement of operation as it would be difficult to maintain a private generating plant to power the expected equipment. The investors, our findings revealed have committed over 80 percent of the funds into the projects and was expecting connection of electricity power into the community.

Mr. Usen Umoh, the general manager of the Royal Farms International and Estates Ltd, owners of array of agro allied firms in the state told our correspondent in calabar that power supply is central to the rubber processing business, and that without constant public power supply it would cost them staggering sum to keep up the investment.

“For this singular reason, the investors are unable to actualise their agreement because of issue of power supply which is nonexistent in the entire Biakpan community. As I speak with you, the fund providers and farmers have completed almost all that is necessary to establish the rubber processing plant in Biakpan but they are worried because they are thinking that if they established it and there was no regular power supply they would end up spending much in buying diesel daily to power the heavy machines”

He appealed strongly to both Cross River State and federal governments to encourage these investors as the plant will bolster the national economy and reduce unemployment especially in the host communities. “We don’t really need funds from government to actualise the rubber processing plant but enabling environment and policies so that agro allied business can thrive.”

“We solicit the help of the state and federal governments through the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) not only to complete the Azaga-Ohafia-Biakpan road project but to link Biakpan community where you have the largest rubber plantation to the national power grid. Doing this, it would attract the investors to settle in Biakpan, so that they do not change their minds and take the project elsewhere”, he said.

According to Umoh, the plantation had already engaged 2000 workers directly and indirectly, adding that if the rubber processing plant is established there it’s likelihood that the number of Nigerians employed would rise to over 5000” He also appealed Biakpan chief, Onun Ekpezu and a youth leader, Amos Izim to encourage the proponents of the rubber processing plant as it would open up the community and provide better income to members of their 12 clans.