Cocoa, used for the production of chocolate and other beverages, can create 17,000 jobs, one processing company says
By Julius Alabi, Akure
No fewer than 17,000 jobs are to be created by a multi-billion naira Cocoa Processing Company in Ondo state
The employment which would be provided by a multi-billion naira Company, Johnvents Industries Limited, a wholly indigenous agribusiness and subsidiary of Capitalsage, has commissioned its upgraded processing plant in Akure, Ondo State.
The Group Managing Director of CapitalSage, John Alamu disclosed this at the inauguration of the factory in Akure on Tuesday.
The inauguration was done in the presence of the Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and other dignitaries, including the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi and the Jegun of Ile Oluji, Oba (Dr.) Julius Adetimehin, among others.
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Alamu said that the processing factory was upgraded to utilize the vast opportunities available in cocoa value chains.
“The company was incorporated in 2016 and had been at the forefront of driving sustainable growth and end-to-end transformation across the entire agricultural value chain.
“And apart from production, processing, manufacturing and distribution, the factory will now be a connecting bridge between cocoa farmers and the global cocoa market, thereby contributing meaningfully to Nigeria’s exports.”
“Johnvents Cocoa Processing Factory is a highly progressive agribusiness project, with 15,000 metric tonnes automated processing plant that requires less manpower and operates at 98 per cent operational efficiency at full blast.
“The factory will create 300 direct jobs and over 17,000 indirect jobs, becoming an economic powerhouse for Ondo State and Nigeria as a whole,” he added.
In his address, the State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu commended the company for choosing the state as the investment destination, pledging to provide a conducive environment for their operations.
His words: “I am delighted to be here for the commissioning of the Johnvents Cocoa Processing Factory. Today’s commission of this incredible project is an important milestone in cocoa agribusiness, not only to Ondo State but to Nigeria as a whole.
”He lamented that Nigeria was not taking advantage of the cocoa value chain, as only about 10 per cent of Nigeria cocoa beans are processed into cocoa butter and powder, while the rest are exported.