By Orusa Timipah
In a bit to promote the development and utilization of raw materials in Bayelsa State, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) State Coordinating office paid a courtesy call to the Federal University of Otuoke on the 13th of March, 2025, at the Post–Graduate Studies Complex in the University campus, Bayelsa State. The purpose of the visit was to partner with the university on raw materials value addition through Research and Development (R&D), thereby leading to commercialization.
The State Coordinator, Mr. Orusa, Timipah, stated that the Council has the mandate to support industrial development through optimal utilization of the local raw materials as inputs for the manufacturing industries for sustainable development as well as economic growth of the country. This could not be achieved without proper Research and Development (R&D) on local raw materials that are available in the state. For the manufacturing sector to be at its ultimate production, the availability of industrial raw materials could not be overemphasized.
RMRDC has been known for Research and Development (R&D) on raw materials value chain development since its establishment, which brings about introducing new products to the market when there is research breakthrough known as commercialization. Also, the Council is known for awareness campaigns on Technology expositions, investment fora, seminars, workshops, etc., which will ensure the optimum exploitation and utilization of the abundant raw materials resources in the state and the country at large.
It is on this note that the RMRDC, Bayelsa State Coordinating Office dim it fit to pay a courtesy call to the university for possible areas of collaboration on raw materials value addition through Research and Development (R&D) which would lead to commercialization.
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Responding, the Dean, Post-Graduate Studies, FUO, Prof. (Mrs.) Iheoma appreciated the
the team from RMRDC while also applauding DG RMRDC Prof. Nnayelugo Ike-Muonso for his laudable achievements since he assumed office. She explained that she is eager to embrace collaborations that will add value to the raw materials in the state. She informed the Council that the university has a Golden Food Project which the university is partnering with farmers to add value to farm produce by carrying out different R&D that had led to commercialization. Prof Ihuoma stated that a major challenge to overcome is to lure private investors to invest in raw materials value chain development in the state.
According to her, the soil in the state is polluted and unfertile for all kinds of crops, and that it retains excessive water and is acidic in nature which is not suitable for many crops. But nevertheless, the university had collaborated with some investors to establish ten green-houses for planting different crops.
Prof. Iheoma emphasized that farming in the greenhouses is natural that no artificial fertilizers are being used, and the soil is stabilized with natural organic treatments. The establishment of the ten greenhouses has increased farm produce in the state. She informed the RMRDC team that the University have products which are rated high in the market. Some of the farm produce and products are garri, garri snacks, palm oil, tomato, tomato paste, pepper, fish feeds, pineapple, watermelon etc. Adding value to each farm produce along the value chain development of raw materials was the main motive behind the establishment of these greenhouses thereby creating jobs for the youths in the state.
She reiterated the fact that palm tree plantations are very vast and dominate the southern region of the country but are being neglected, instead, they have been exported to Asia and other countries. However, she explained how palm oil is being adulterated in the open market which could cause different kinds of diseases to people who buy and use it for consumption purposes. Marketers in the open markets do sell palm oil meant for industrial purposes as consumable palm oil. She stated that the palm oil produced by the university (Golden Food Project) is intentional in producing the best quality.
According to her, oil palm ought to be valued like crude oil in the country because there are a lot of products that could be gotten from it which include: Creams, Vaseline, Baby Lotion and so on.
The Dean encouraged RMRDC to partner with the university to enhance the development of the raw materials value chain thereby adding value for economic growth in the state and the country at large.
