ORUK ANAM LGA CAN BE THE OIL PALM CAPITAL OF THE WORLD AGAIN
Every local government area in Akwa Ibom State should be known for something under the Agropreneurship drive of His Excellency, Gov. Udom Gabriel Emmanuel. If Ini Local Government Area is known for rice production, Mkpat Enin for Coconut plantation then Oruk Anam Local Government Area should be the focus for oil palm production.
This is more than a suggestion, it is a wake up call to first, the indigenes of Oruk Anam Local Government Area, her critical stakeholders and investors to remember that we are a wealthy people, blessed with a large landmass and the best soil type for Oil Palm production in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and unarguably globally.
From Oruk Anam Local Government Area, we can feed the world, we can feed Nigeria and we can feed Akwa Ibom State, if only we realize that the oil palms that grows in our backyards, with or without any extra care or fertilizers are not ordinary trees of economic important, but one of the most treasured trees in the global economy. The economies of countries like Malaysia and Indonesia are run almost completely by revenue from oil palm products.
The economic versatility of the oil palm cannot be overemphasized. The oil has been a near constant ingredient for food production and preservation globally. It is stable at high temperatures and so is ideal for use in cooking and frying, while its high melting point makes it a cost-effective replacement for animal fats in products such as spreads and baked goods.
Palm oil is used to manufacture sodium lauryl sulfate, which is used as a foaming agent in many body care products such as soap and toothpaste, and is also often added to household cleaning products. Its fat content also makes it an ideal emulsifier for moisturisers, makeup and even candles.
Beyond the ‘red oil’, it is the case that the Oil Palm tree is wholly useful with economic relevance from it’s leaves to its roots. The centre stick of the palm tree leaves are used for toothpick productions (as an alternative to bamboo) in some economies of the world, the kernel oil is useful for the production of all kinds of cosmetics and is more valuable in today’s global market than crude oil. The kernel grind itself can be used for the production of feeds for pigs and other livestock. The kernel shell is the major ingredient for the production of break pads and the sifts after the extraction of the oil is often used for the production of rug carpets and foot mats. The long stems is useful both for construction purposes and fuel for cooking. There is absolutely nothing that goes to waste from this particular tree.
This exposition on the economic advantage of the palm tree and the need for Oruk Anam LGA to become the oil palm capital of the world is not a mere propaganda or wishful thinking. It is born out of research that proves that history repeats itself in Oruk Anam. Again, we can be what history shows that we have been before.
The Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) is situated in Oruk Anam Local Government Area. History confirms that one cannot tell the Malaysian Oil story without a mention of Oruk Anam Local Government Area. We have all it takes to take on the world and win it in this area and the time to begin is now.
Government at all levels,
Stakeholders from Oruk Anam Local Government Area, both political and otherwise must rise to the occasion and set things in motion to help towards the realization of our full potentials as the Oil Palm capital of the world – WE HAVE BEEN BEFORE AND WE CAN BE AGAIN, THE GLORY OF THIS LATER BECOMING WILL EVEN BE GREATER THAN THAT OF THE PAST.
EVERYONE NEEDS SOMETHING FROM THE OIL PALM TREE….SO EVERYONE NEEDS ORUK ANAM LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA.
IBOM VOICE MEDIA 