RMRDC, Stakeholders Brainstorm to Attract Investment in Bamboo Value Chain Devt

By Praise Chinecherem

Stakeholders and Professionals drawn from across the nation and beyond have described investment in Bamboo tree value chain as one of the effective means of driving industrial growth to foster economic development.

They made the submission during a one-day investors forum on Bamboo Value Chain Development in Anambra State, held at Unizik Business School, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

The Forum was organised by Raw Materials Research And Development Council (RMRDC), Anambra State Co-Ordinating Office in collaboration with Sahelian Institute For Bamboo Research And Entrepreneurship Development (SIBRED)

The event which was themed “Strengthening Investment Opportunities Along The Bamboo Value Chain For Sustainable Economic And Industrial Development” was also supported by Nnamdi Azikiwe University.

Declaring the event open, Acting Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Carol Arinze Umobi, noted that investment in Bamboo value chain had become more critical now.

Umobi, represented by Prof Philomena Igbokwe, described the forum as critical to awaken the interest of government and investors to explore the benefits of the valuable resource

Chairman on the occasion and Commissioner for Environment, Engr Felix Odimegwu, emphasized the strategic importance of unlocking the vast potential of the plant to drive economic growth.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Toochukwu Obodougha, called for stronger partnerships for development of plantations and processing hubs across the state.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Director General/ Chief Executive Officer, Raw Materials Research And Development Council, Prof Martin Ike Muonso, said the forum was staged to unlock opportunities to enhance investors participation.

“Raw Materials Research And Development Council has been actively involved in promoting the Bamboo sector in Nigeria through research, policy advocacy, capacity building and industrial partnerships”

The Director General who was represented by the State Co-Ordinator RMRDC, Dr Uche Arinze-Nwosu, underscored the imperative to partner synergistically to put in place implementable strategies that would promote the resource value chain.

“Bamboo versatility supports over 100 products, including construction materials, furniture, handcrafts, textiles and bioenergy”

In an Online Keynote Lecture, the Vice Chancellor, Open Learning University, Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC) Prof Muyisa Kazimoto, anchored his presentation on Bamboo Value Chain Development in Africa’s Green Economy.

According to him, the plant emerges as a renewable, fast growing resource well suited to sustainable development, key enabler of climate and green industrialization in Nigeria and Democratic Republic of Congo.

While acknowledging the plant’s industrial versatility in over 10,000 applications across sectors, he pointed out that Africa could be uplifted with the right investments and enabling policies.

The Co Founder, Agroforestry Impact and Regeneration USA, Mrs Diana Doherty, Presented a lead paper titled “Bamboo Based Value Chains For Sustainable Development: Identifying Investment Opportunities And Accessing Grants.

Doherty, who spoke via online, highlighted the nation’s abundant blessings with different species of the plant which could be incorporated into multiple production processes, emphasizing the need to promote innovative technologies and partnerships to drive positive changes.

Other Representatives of Anambra State Government including Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, Commissioner for Industry, Mr Christian Udechukwu, and Information, Dr Law Mefor, affirmed government’s commitment to providing enabling environment for the investment to thrive in the state.

“We are ready in Anambra State to support investors and encourage our communities to collaborate with those who want to invest in the production and processing” Dr Ihejiofor said

The event also featured tour of exhibition stands and goodwill messages from Nigeria Export Promotion Council(NEPC), Standard Organisation Of Nigeria(SON), Technology Incubation Centre(TIC)as well as Head of Federal Establishments in the state.

Some of the participants raised concerns/ questions which were addressed accordingly by the organisers.