How Aregbesola Revived Moribund Cocoa Processing Industry, Ede

Production activities have returned to the Cocoa Processing Industry (CPI), Ede the only industry inherited by Osun State from the old Oyo State.

The company, which was commissioned on October 17, 1982 during the civilian administration of late Chief Bola Ige in old Oyo State became moribund for over 15years over alleged mismanagement and obsolete equipment.

Normal production activities in the company stopped in 2001 and since then the state government which is the sole ownership of the company had been seeking for measures and strategies to bring the company back to active production.

But the administration of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in partnership with Golden Monkey of China removed all the obsolete equipment and installed modern one to meet the modern-day requirement and needs.

At present, the company is processing 20,000 tonnes of Cocoa into cocoa liquor for both local and international consumption, thus increasing the production capacity of the company by 400% from 2001 period.

The State Commissioner for Industries, Commerce, Cooperatives and Empowerment, Mr. Ismail Jayeoba Alagbada said the company now process and refine Cocoa from harvest to products of high standard and for export.

He said the gesture was part of the industrialization plan of the current administration to put the company into effective use for optimum performance and industrialization base of the state.

Alagbada noted that the gesture has yielded positive results as daily assemblage of 20,000 tonnes of Cocoa are processed to various products.

He added that the company will soon begin the production of Cocoa Powder and Cocoa Cake stressing that no fewer than 200 employment had been generated explaining that more hands would still be recruited as expansion of the company is carried out.

He disclosed further that going by the new arrangement, the state government owns 30% equity which gives it a 30% revenue derivable from all resources and funds generated here.

“Through this partnership, many people in Osun would learn the trade of cocoa processing. The possibilities are just endless. At least, now, our people know that more value accrues to them if they process cocoa rather than exporting in its raw form,” the commissioner stated.

He maintained that the company planned to expand it capacity in the next few months.