BY SAMIE WAIKORI

Work on the country’s first cocoa processing plant is nearly done, with the building completed recently at Kirakira, Makira-Ulawa provincial capital.

Premier Stanley Siapu confirmed yesterday [April 1], “yes, the building structure for the cocoa factory has completed”.

Mr Siapu says this is a milestone accomplishment for Makira-Ulawa province (MUP) and the country.

Siapu said the next stage is the instalment of processing machines, which is expected this year.

He said machines will be funded by the national government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAL) and partners.

“Machines to be funded by MAL this year after finalising business partnership arrangements especially with MUPG, owner and other potential partners,” Siapu said.

The project is supported by national government through three of its line ministries; Ministry of National Development Planning and Aid Coordination (MNDPAC), Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labor and Immigration (MCILI) and Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

In an earlier interview, Premier Siapu said the cocoa factory project will be the answer to the hardworking cocoa farmers in MUP and thecountry.

Adding the project is significant to stabilise the economy of the country.

He emphasised it will curb cocoa buying prices to farmers, create employment opportunities and provide specialist training, skills and knowledge transfer for locals.      

Siapu furthered the project would enable the factory to produce cocoa products and other bi-products for both internal and external market.

In the meantime, he appealed to cocoa farmers in the province and across the country to prepare for the project.

Siapu said MUPG planned to work with farmers to rehabilitate cocoa and coconut farms in the province.

He assured the commitment of his government to partner with national government and donor partners to ensure the project materialize and benefit by boosting the economy of the country.

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