The Taraba State Government has finalized arrangements to invite private investors to evaluate and collaborate with Mambilla Beverages Limited in Kakara, Sardauna Local Government Area to reinvigorate the company.
In a statement to the Newsmen on Sunday, Yusuf Sanda, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Kefas, conveyed this information.
During his visit to West Africa’s largest beverage company, which produces the well-known Highland and Green teas, Governor Agbu Kefas revealed plans to soon lead a delegation to Kenya.
According to him, the mission aims to attract experts and investors to modernize the company, allowing it to meet increasing local and export demands for its tea.
He said this move was essential as two other companies have recently emerged in Nguroje and Maisamari on the Mambila Plateau, posing a competitive challenge that the company must prepare for.
Governor Kefas also voiced his concern about erosion endangering the company’s plantation due to silt, attributing this to the effects of global warming and climate change.
To mitigate the issue, he promised to supply the company with new tractors from the State Government’s stock, provided that the company covers the cost of the machinery.
The Managing Director of the Company Mr. Timothy Fanya, highlighted the challenges of obsolete machines and equipment, encroachment by local farmers and herders, and the uprooting of its tea plants.
Mr. Timothy Fanya who emphasized the urgent need for dredging of about 50 hectares of tea plantation affected by silting, also said the company plans to diversify into the cultivation and processing of coffee and economic trees.
Before inspecting the tea factory, the Governor made a stopover at Segem Dam to examine the four hundred-kilowatt twin turbines of the mini hydroelectric generation company, which supplies power to the tea factory.
Also, the site engineer informed the Governor that the mini hydro power station could be scaled up to a one-megawatt capacity, providing uninterrupted power to the adjacent communities.
During the visit, Governor Agbu Kefas toured the company to observe the tea processing and packaging procedures and concluded the visit by planting a tree as a commemoration.
Report By Sani Sulaiman
