Alluvial Trade and Development Company Limited (Alluvial), a Nigerian integrated agriculture company has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Buhler Group for the design, manufacture and installation of a five tone per hour rice mill at Ibil –Ogoja, Cross River State.

The investment is expected to boost the Cross River State economy through the annual purchase of N6 billion worth of paddy rice from local growers.

Representatives of Cross Rivers State and Federal Governments and Keystone Bank Limited witnessed the MoU signing for the rice mill that is expected to come on stream in 2015.

The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, represented by Engineer O.C. Jatto expressed the Federal Government’s delight at the partnership between Buhler and Alluvial as he praised Alluvial’s eye for quality in partnering with Buhler and assured Alluvial of the Federal Government’s support.

Mr. Dimieari Von Kemedi, Managing Director of Alluvial explained the choice of Cross Rivers State for the project. He said the state is a national leader in rice paddy production as he praised the investment friendly regime promoted by Governor Liyel Imoke. He said Alluvial was encouraged to go into agricultural investment because of the vision of President Jonathan to create wealth and employment for Nigerians, and the energy and innovation that Dr. Akin Adesina brought into the realisation of the president’s vision.

Mr. Phillip Ikeazor, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Keystone Bank assured Nigerians of the bank’s determination to correct Nigeria’s balance of trade situation by supporting companies like Alluvial which are investing in production.

Mr. Nataraja, Senior Engineer of the Buhler Group expressed delight that with the signing of the MoU with Alluvial its relationship with Nigeria continues to grow.

Honourable James Aniyom, Cross River State Commissioner of Agriculture who represented Governor assured Alluvial of the support of the government and people of Cross River State.

The Ibil Rice Mill is expected to produce international quality rice from paddy production in Cross Rivers State. Analysts estimate that the mill will purchase at least six billion naira (N6,000,000,000) worth of rice paddy annually from farmers in Cross Rivers State.

Community leaders welcomed the project as transformational for its employment generating capacity, which will touch almost all communities in northern Cross Rivers State and beyond.