The proposed Cross River Cattle to Commerce project has received a boost with collaboration from the Namibian government.
A recent missive from Cross River Cattle To Commerce Special Purpose Vehicle, CCATCOM SPV to the government of Cross River state, stated that the partnership which is intended to transform the livestock sub sector in the state would among other things build a top-tier international standard abattoir, dedicated feedlots, beef, dairy production and processing centers to service both the local and international markets.
Mrs Nella Andem-Ewa Rabana, SAN Executive Director , CCATCOM who signed the letter stated that 'the project will be implemented in cohort with key financial and technical partners which shall include MEATCO, a wholly-owned Namibian entity renowned for its breeding, fattening, processing and export of quality beef and beef products to Europe, China and United States of America'
The Executive Director highlighted some of the benefits to Cross River to include job creation for the local population, especially the youth , development of sectorial skills acquisition that would have multiplier effect on the political -economy of the state , strengthening the state ability to earn foreign exchange to support other government projects through the export of beef and other diary products and develop the local governments where they are sited.
She said additionally, 'the project will be positioned as a primary off- taker for the oil palm cakes to be produced by the Cross River state Oil palm project, while also initiating an out growers scheme with indigenes of the local communities so that they can individually acquire skills and entrepreneurship capacities to herd livestock on behalf of the Special Purpose Vehicle,SPV project for which remuneration will accrue.
The Cross River state Government represented by the state Commissioner for Livestock, Aquaculture and Fisheries, Ntufam Emmanuel Anom was in Abuja meeting recently with other partners to drive the preliminary efforts to futher develop and crystalize collaboration between Cross River and Namibian governments in respect of the Cattle to Commerce project.
Others who attended the meeting include the Namibian delegation, representative of the office of the Vice President of Nigeria, and that of the Central Bank of Nigeria and CCATCOM SPV.
By Victor Udu, The Beagle News
