Dickson, CBN, others laud Mosilo Bayelsa Rice Outgrowers Scheme

Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, has praised Moses Siloko Siasia for initiating the Mosilo Bayelsa Rice Outgrowers Scheme, stressing that it will improve the economy of the state, create jobs and make the state a major player in the rice farming and processing industry in the country.

The scheme, expected to create jobs for over 20, 000 people, is the initiative of Mosilo Group, a multi-billion naira business empire, with huge investments in engineering, real estate, oil and gas, agro-processing and project management.

Speaking at the flag off of the scheme in Yenagoa, Governor Dickson stated that the initiative is in line with the agricultural policies of the state and pledged government’s support to enable the scheme to succeed.

Represented by the state Commissioner for agriculture, Prince Doodei Week, the state governor lauded Moses Siasia for the project, saying he has made the state proud and called on other Bayelsans to emulate him.

Dickson expressed optimism that the project when fully operational will engage the people of the state positively and urged Bayelsa farmers and intended farmers to embrace the scheme while reassuring the investor of Bayelsa State commitment in providing an enabling environment for the scheme and the 40,000mt per year Rice Milling Plant.

The Chairman/CEO Mosilo Group, Mr. Moses Siasia stated that the scheme was born out of his desire to harness the agricultural potentials of the state in the area of rice value chain, adding that the scheme will generate at least 3,417 direct and 20,000 indirect job opportunities, including ancillary jobs among others.

He explained that the model is 7,000ha for cultivation directly by Mosilo group as a nucleus estate and 3,000ha to be planted by the Outgrowers in different local government areas.

He noted that interested Bayelsans with at least two hectares of land can be part of the scheme as Mosilo global Services will support them with training, provide them with seedlings and will buy off the rice paddy from them after harvest.

Mr. Tonye Isenah, Chief Whip of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Kemela Okara, Commissioner of Trade and Investment and SSG designate; Brigadier General Paul Boroh (Rtd), the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Chairman of the Presidential Amnesty Programme; Engr. David West Managing Director of Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, representatives from Bank of Industry, Central Bank of Nigeria and The Nigerian Incentive-based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending NIRSAL and other dignitaries lauded the company for the project and called on Bayelsans to be part of the scheme as it will improve not just the financial status of individuals but the economy of the state.