By Michael David, Lafia
The Managing Director, Nasarawa State Investment and Property Development Company (NIPDC), Ahmed Idris, said the company has commenced a project called ‘Poundo Project’ in the state to give north central zone residents access to poundo yam.
Idris disclosed this during a chat with Sunday Independent in Lafia, the state capital.
Idris (left), Ahmed (middle), and Ohiaeri, during the presentation of N50 million cheque to the hospital
He explained that by the time the poundo project has become fully functioning, it will provide diverse economic opportunities for residents of the state and reduce the cost of importing Poundo Yam from Lagos where it is processed to the other parts of the country.
The NIPDC boss stated that a suitable site had been located for the company in Lafia and a feasibility study had also been conducted to examine the sustainability and viability of the project in the state and the North Central zone.
He said: “So, what we want to do is add value to our yam. We have done the feasibility studies already. All we are waiting for us is our partners to make their own contribution so that we can kick off fully.
“It is a very important project that is why we are planning to involve other investors from other states in the north central. We use to have poundo yam around here but it is produced in Lagos.
“Ironically we produce the yam in abundance here and then transport it back to Lagos to process it into poundo yam before it is now brought back here for consumption. We want to start producing it here so it can be always available to our people,” he noted.
Idris, who said the cost of the project would be about N200 million and will be borne by the company’s partners and investors, explained further that the project would employ ‘a lot of people’ and offer more cooks in the state an alternative to the naturally pounded yam.
The Managing Director also noted that plots at the Keffi sites and services scheme located along Keffi-Akwanga highway were now on sale and about 500 plots of land were on offer at the site.
Idris further said that although NIPDC had been confronted with challenges, work was still ongoing to provide basic infrastructure and amenities at the site and that 60 percent of the roads which are double surfaced has been completed.
Source : Independent