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By Amuneke Godswill Kelechi
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) took a leading role at the First Quarter Meeting of the Rivers State Committee on Export Promotion (RSCEP), held at the Rivers State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt. The event, organized by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Commerce and Industry, brought together key industry players to discuss strategies for boosting exports and industrial development in the region.
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Taking the stage, the RMRDC’s Acting Coordinator in Rivers State Mr. Minzor-Ezekiel Kurotimipa, used the platform to highlight the council’s groundbreaking innovations in raw materials development. One of the major initiatives he introduced was the Raw Materials Information Management System (RMIMS), a digital platform that will allow global access to Nigeria’s raw materials database. Expected to go live in May 2025, RMIMS aims to connect local suppliers with international buyers, enhancing trade opportunities and strengthening Nigeria’s presence in the global market. He also spoke on the 30% value addition bill the council is currently pushing for, among many Council’s achievements.
During the meeting, Arc. Benedict Itegbe, NEPC’s South-South Regional Coordinator, emphasized the importance of developing small businesses through cooperative clusters and training programs. He highlighted the need for a solid RSCEP action plan for 2025, following their February workshop on export market development for cooperatives and clusters.
Itegbe also revealed plans to expand cocoa farming in Cross River and Bayelsa States, which would provide new opportunities for local farmers. However, he acknowledged that Rivers State’s climate is unsuitable for cocoa cultivation and suggested that the region focus on oil palm as a key export commodity instead.
Kurotimipa also announced an upcoming Investors Forum on Cassava Value Chain Development, scheduled for May 2025, which aligns with the Director General’s directive for all 36 states to focus on their strongest raw materials. For Rivers State, cassava and oil palm offer significant potential for industrial growth and export expansion.
Recognizing RMRDC’s crucial role in driving raw materials development, RSCEP officially integrated the council into its technical committee, which will oversee the execution of the state’s 2025 export action plan. The cassava value chain investment forum was also adopted as a key part of Rivers State’s economic development strategy for the year.
With these new initiatives, Rivers State is poised to unlock the full potential of its raw materials sector, creating new opportunities for local industries, increasing exports, and driving economic diversification. The collaboration between RMRDC, NEPC, and RSCEP marks an important step in transforming the state into a major hub for raw materials value addition and global trade.
