By EMMA OBI, Calabar –
Two firms: Bright Flow Logistics, Calabar and Isomac Global International, have concluded arrangements to jointly export about 4,200 metric tons of palm kennel shells from Cross River State to Portugal.
Managing director of Bright Flow Logistics, Anie Iton, made this disclosure on Friday in Calabar while conducting journalists round the Calabar Sea Port to see things for themselves.
Iton said that the export of palm kennel shells to Portugal is a dream come true because her company had for a long time now, been working to promote export, not just of palm kennel shells but also sourcing other materials which are needed in the global market”.
She disclosed that the sourcing of palm kennel shells in bulk in Cross River is impressive and that “this is why we have to bring the vessel to Calabar”.
“Gone are the days when people would throw away Palm kennel shells. These days, the shells are used for roads construction, to power as fuel, etc and I hope Africans should see the importance of making use of palm kennel shells rather than disposing them”.
Also speaking, Emmanuel Etim of Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC who also combines as the Cross River State Promotion Advisor said the feat was a welcome development as it was in line with the diversification agenda of the Federal Government.
Etim commended the two firms for responding to calls for the diversification of the Nigerian economy saying that palm kennel shell is zero waste products.
Similarly, Eyimadu Onyema, Managing director of Isomac Global international said that this exercise is his first experience in Cross River adding, “we are working to sustain it despite some challenges from communities where the raw materials are sourced from.