Bayelsa owned Elebele Low Palm Estate; a wasting asset

[MrVan]

Samuel OYADONGHA

Yenagoa – Oil palm and cassava production rather than crude oil, experts said holds the key to the future survival of the Nigerian economy. Interestingly, Bayelsa State falls within the tropical mangrove ecological zone which is noted for huge reserve of fossil products and is also a good source of agricultural supplies.

The state for instance, boasts of such products as fruits, vegetables, oil palm, rice, fishery and other livestock which could have made Bayelsa the food basket of the nation.

However, the Elebele Low Palm Estate which could have been a major money spinning enterprise for Bayelsa State which solely depends on oil revenue from the federation is presently lying dormant.

Located on the outskirt of Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, the Elebele Palm Estate which could be described as one of the biggest estate in the Niger Delta is a wasting asset.

The estate has been taken over by weeds while its produce is being poached by intruders from the adjoining communities.  Also some nomadic herdsmen have taken advantage of the dormant state of the estate to use its sprawling land as grazing field for their cattle.

Oil Palm Seedlings The vast sprawling palm estate is equipped with a modern processing mill and has the potential of taking off the streets, hundreds of jobless youths but is not being put into proper use.

Sweetcrude investigation show that attempt by the various administrations in the state to revive the sector could best be described as cosmetic and lacking the political will in spite of the huge resources injected into the sector.

The former administration of Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha had on realizing that the palm estate was not big enough to generate revenue to ensure self sufficiency attempted to expand the plantation from its present 1,083 hectares to 29,000 in phases.

The administration was frustrated by the local population from whom the land was acquired but who are still laying claim to it thereby stalling the move to make Bayelsa largest palm oil producing state in the federation.

A source told Sweetcrudethat though the agricultural development potential of the central upper Delta plain is seriously limited by excess water caused by the annual floods and rainfall coupled with the lack of adequate drainage in the area, conscious effort could have been made to drain the land and put it into appropriate agricultural use in phases.

According to the source, "it is sad that the state government has not exhibited the political will to revive the sector." What is rationale behind the state government acquisition of an ultra modern oil mill from Malaysia with a production capacity of ten tons per hour and leaving the facility to rot away," the source queried adding that the only time conscious effort was made to revive the ailing estate was during the tenure of the former Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Edward Dandeson-Spiff.

The source however expressed optimism that the 16 man Agricultural Development Blueprint Committee headed by Mr. Izonebi Obubo recently inaugurated by the governor would give the ailing sector priority attention.

The Governor had while inaugurating the committee charged the body to formulate policies that will guide government to invest in the agricultural sub-sector noting that the state has a lot of agricultural potentials that could be harnessed to make the state self-sufficient in food production.

Dickson said his administration will invest in areas in which the state has comparative advantage such as fisheries, oil palm cultivation and rice production with a view to exporting to other countries.

While pointing out the volatility associated with oil price, Dickson noted that efforts are underway to diversify the local economy and reduce dependence on oil.

According to the governor, the committee is expected to identify the agricultural and agro-business potentials of the state; highlight previous efforts at agricultural development as well as identify factors militating against sustainable agricultural growth, investment and development in the state.

The committee is also mandated to identify the major agricultural produce in which the state has comparative advantage; recommend realistic and time-bound policies and programmes aimed at harnessing the agricultural and agro-business potentials and also identify ways by which the state can partner with other stakeholders and agencies outside the state.

Vanguard Nigeria