By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State has commended WACOT Rice Limited for transforming the economic landscape of the state with its expansion of the 120,000 metric tonnes rice mill.
The giant rice miller is currently increasing the installed capacity of the factory to 240,000 metric tonnes and Mr Bagudu feels this is an indication of the tremendous confidence the firm has in the economy of Kebbi State and of Nigeria in general.
The Governor noted that the company has been making tremendous contributions to Kebbi State under its corporate social responsibility projects, including assisting over 300 women to participate in its value chain.
“WACOT in addition to doubling capacity have been of tremendous assistance to Kebbi. They have supported Argungu Fishing Festival, and a lot of our other festivals, they have done a lot of corporate social responsibility. These efforts of WACOT are showing how much Nigeria has and more companies are following suit,” Mr Bagudu stated.
He expressed optimism that the price of rice will stabilise soon and that it would be favourable to both farmers and consumers.
In his remarks, the Chairman of WACOT Rice Nigeria Limited, a subsidiary of Tropical General Investments (TGI) Group, Mr Farouk Gumel, applauded Governor Bagudu for providing an enabling environment for the company to optimally thrive.
He assured that the expansion of the WACOT rice mill in Argungu, Kebbi State, would be completed in the next 15 months.
Mr Gumel, who reiterated the company’s commitment to the economic development of Kebbi State, said WACOT Rice will recruit and train more Kebbi indigenes to beef up its workforce once the project is completed.
Business Post reports that in 2017, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo commissioned the 120,000 metric tonnes rice plant but because of improvement in the demand for the product, WATCO decided to expand the facility with support from First Bank of Nigeria.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Modupe Gbadeyanka