By Josephine Oguntoyinbo

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Ondo State House of Assembly has assured that the private sector will continue to enjoy the support of the legislature in a bid to boost the State’s economy .

The House Committee on Commerce and industry led by its Chairman, Rasheed Elegbeleye gave the assurance  during an oversight visit to Johnvents Industries limited, a new cocoa processing factory, in Akure.

While appreciating the Management of the Company for their efforts at boosting the State’s economy especially in terms of employment opportunities, the Lawmakers affirmed that the State has continue to be a leading producer of Cocoa in Nigeria.

The Committee  expressed deep appreciation to the present administration for the enabling environment it has created for industries to thrive, which it noted is enticing more investors to come do business in the State.

The Chairman of the Committee, Resheed Elegbeleye lauded the Management of the company for choosing the State as one of its operational States in the South west.

The lawmaker noted that cocoa remains the number one agricultural export crop of the nation and second only to crude oil, hence it deserves a lot of attention

Other Lawmakers enjoined the Management of the company to employ more Ondo youths.

Earlier, the Lead Manager of the Company ,Caroline Omotosho who highlighted their activities and challenges  called for massive investments in the cocoa business.

She expressed confidence that if this is done, it will be a game-changer in the cocoa value chain in the State and Nigeria in terms of revenue generation, local capacity development, and job creation.

To ensure quality  production in the State, she said that the Company has trained 150 youths through its sustainability programme in cocoa farming for quality cocoa bean production, adding that the factory now boast of  a Staff strength of over 170 as against the initial 80 when it started its operation last year.

The Committee was later conducted round facilities in the factory.