The government of Akwa Ibom State has revealed that it has put machinery in place to ensure that the St Gabriel Coconut Refinery meets the two million per day refining capacity by December this year.
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The commissioner of Agriculture, Dr Offiong Offor, made this known while speaking with journalists on Saturday in response to speculations that the Coconut Oil Refinery in Mkpat Enin Local Council might be under-utilised due to the inadequate coconut fruits to meet its two million coconuts per day refining capacity.
She disclosed that more than one million hybrid seedlings had already been planted in the last six years at various locations in the state in a renewed effort to meet the demands of the refinery.
She noted that new plantations had been established in Okobo, Ini and Eket LGAs to compliment the main plantation located between Eastern Obollo/Mkpat Enin/Ikot Abasi.
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The commissioner disclosed that the initiative aimed at encouraging the growing of the plant in public secondary schools had been expanded to public primary schools, local government councils and traditional rulers’ council.
