By Isaac Asare
Upper East Regional
Minister, Albert Abongo says the intervention of an out-grower scheme with appropriate
technologies constitute a critical requirement in the revamping of the defunct
Northern Star Tomato Factory , NSTF, at Pwalugu.
The NSTF factory formerly Pwalugu Tomato factory used to
produce about 100 tons of tin tomatoes on daily basis. For years, the facility has remained dysfunctional due to some operational challenges that had to do with perennial
shortage of raw materials to feed the company.
Mr. Abongo made the proposal in
an interaction with members of the Upper East Youth Association, UEYA, in
Bolgatanga.
The delegation led by the Organizing Secretary of the group,
Francis Adingo was to deliberate on issues bordering on the economic prospects
of the region and also discuss how best they can share and contribute to
driving its development agenda forward.
The Minister's comment on
the Northern Star Tomato Factory was in response to questions raised by the
group with regard to the neglect of defunct factories in the region, some of
which include the Bolgatanga Meat factory and the abandoned Rice Mill project
in Zuarungu.
Mr. Abongo described as unfortunate, the current state of the NSTF.
He expressed regret that despite efforts made by successive governments till
date, the company has still not seen the light of day.
He said the cost in the
running of the company coupled with its operational deficiencies have been an albatross
in breathing life into the company.
Mr. Abongo maintained that looking at the
present competitive business environment, no investor will risk investing in
defunct facilities without reaping any meaningful dividend.
This, he explained,
was because viability plays a key role in building investor confidence and
anything short of that might deter potential investors from injecting resources
to resuscitate the facility.
The region, he hinted, had so far received two
delegations to access the state of the NSTF and issues regarding its operation
were duly discussed openly for consideration with the expectation to receiving
a favorable response.
According to the minister, the major challenge of the
company is about production.
He observed that in order to ensure absolute
viability of the company, there was the need to employ an out-grower scheme with
new technologies so that farmers will be encouraged to venture into the
production of raw materials to feed the factory.
When this is done, the factory
will be able to produce in high capacity and operate all year round. He
moreover outlined plans by his office and the Trade Ministry to woo local and
other foreign investors to take up the rest of the defunct factories to help
create jobs for the teeming unemployed youth.
On roads, Mr. Abongo disclosed
that in the not long distant future, the Bolgatanga town roads will be attended
to. He said estate roads, the Extee Hotel extension and the library roads among
others have been earmarked for asphalting.
He added that the necessary
consultation had been done with the regional office of the urban roads to that
effect.
GBC
No comments:
Post a Comment