Nigerian Minister Visits Rice Processing Mill To Assess Challenges In Cross River

By Sylvia Akpan

The Honorable Minister for State and Industry, Trade and Investment, Sen. John Owan Enoh, has paid a working visit over the weekend to the Ofodua Rice Processing Cluster in Obubra Local Government Area of Cross River State.

The cluster, which consists of several rice processing mills, serves as an important hub for agro-processing in the area and provides appreciable employment opportunities for residents.

During the visit, the Minister was warmly received by the millers and workers. The environment was a familiar one for Senator Enoh, who has maintained a long-standing relationship with the people of Obubra since 2003 when he first represented the area in the House of Representatives. Several community members used the opportunity to recall his earlier engagements and the support he had extended to them over the years.

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The visit provided an opportunity to interact directly with mill owners, workers, and traders whose livelihoods depend heavily on the rice processing value chain. Many of the mills in the cluster play a vital role in supporting local rice production, jobs creation, and strengthening the rural economy of the community.

However, discussions during the visit highlighted a number of challenges confronting the Ofodua rice processing cluster. These include ageing and inefficient equipment, limited access to finance, inconsistent power supply, inadequate water supply, and environmental concerns associated with the evacuation and management of processing by-products. The Minister noted that understanding these realities first-hand is essential to designing practical interventions that will enable the mills to operate at full capacity.

He said the visit aligns with the broader commitment of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and expand domestic food production and processing. Reviving rice processing capacity across producing communities remains a central component of this national effort.

The Minister noted that with the right support and targeted interventions, the mills in Ofodua can be modernized and expanded to serve farmers more efficiently, reduce post-harvest losses, and create sustainable employment opportunities for young people across Cross River State and the country.

He emphasized that Nigeria possesses the land, the farmers, and the market required for agricultural prosperity. What remains, he noted, is to strengthen the systems that effectively connect production to processing and ultimately to markets.

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