The Chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, has said that the council will key into the planting of coconut trees in order to encourage the health and economic benefits from the produce.
Speaking Thursday in Abuja, during the flag off of the one family 3 coconut trees by the National Coconut Producers Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NACOPPMAN), Maikalangu, who was represented by the council secretary, Hon. Jafaru Gwagwa, said that the council will offer every opportunity to the organization to encourage planting of coconut trees in the council.
He said: “We are going to key into the process of coconut tree planting as soon as possible. For us to allow the NACOPPMAN to come and showcase the benefits of coconut planting shows how interested we are in the subject matter. The health and economic benefits of coconut tree planting cannot be overemphasised. We hope the organisation can raise a memo for partnership with the council.
“We are going to give more emphasis on the planting of coconut trees because of the importance of coconut even within the community. With regards to lands, the federal government has allocated lands to Kuje area council. Within the cosmopolitan area council, you can hardly find where you can plant in the farming season. But at AMAC, we have a land by the grace of God where we can showcase anything farming outside the city.”
Also speaking, the National President of NACOPPMAN, Dr Nma Okoroji, said that coconut tree planting will help to curb unemployment and boost the economy as coconut has over 300 products it can be used to manufacture.
She said: “Every part of the coconut is zero waste. Every part is important and useful. Many things can be gotten from coconut. It can be used in manufacturing bullets, brake pad, marine rope, among others. One litre of coconut oil is N8,000. You cannot compare what is gotten from coconut to crude.
