In line with the federal and state government's resolve in diversifying the economy, the Chief Whip of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and Member Representing Ini State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Bassey has intensified effort towards its realisation.

The quest for making millions and millionaires from bamboo export came to light, Wednesday when the Member Representing Ini state Constituency in the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Bassey, gathered men, women and youth of farming age for a sensitisation workshop on the benefits of bamboo farming and export at his Constituency office, Odoro Ikpe, Ini local Government Area.

The Assemblyman in company of Mr. Travis Hargett, from California, a Director of Supply Development, Global Bamboo Technologies Incorporated, a subsidiary of BamCore Group, Ocala, Florida, USA and Mr Ukeme Nyah, the Managing Director of Brave Heart Farms Limited, toured some villages in Ini to inspect the various sites of bamboo plantation.

While on the microphone, Mr Hargett who explained the benefits of Bamboo said, apart from being used as scarfolds for building and farming support, Bamboo has some ecological and economic benefits, including job creation. He indicated the company's interest in the purchase of bamboo.

"In the post oil world, bamboo can be a substitute. Its structural strength is massive. It is six times more carbon-dioxide and has
reverse in the impact of climate change. It is much more than a traditional tree; it is used for furniture and more", Hargett enumerated.

Hon. Emmanuel Bassey in his assertion, explained that Bamboo business was an opportunity for investment which will in no time have a multiplier effect on the economy of the area and the state, adding that politics will come and go, but an enterpenuer will always smile.

"I have been made to understand that there are more than one thousand species of bamboo and luckily for us the species we have is what they want and it can be purchased. I am not talking politics. I want you to have the mind of an enterpenuer and see how you will smile in the end. I can assure you that we will make millions out in the business in no time" Bassey stressed.

The chairman of Ini local government Council, Rt. Hon. Israel Idaisin who welcomed the guests said Ini has a vast arable land to cultivate bamboo and other viable farm goods. "This is an open door for the people, bamboo farming is a good business which can generate income I assure you that we will partner with you. I must also say that we want to be co-investors not just partners".

A business expert from Polaris Bank, Mr Seyi said that growing bamboo for export was a cool business and that Ini Local Government Area was a safe haven for bamboo. He further stated that it was an opportunity to take people off the streets.

An elder who participated in the workshop, Barr Edet Inyang Idim, appreciated the House Member for being able to bring Mr Travis all the way from California to Ini LGA. He then advised that no evil should be heard among the youth in the course of doing the bamboo business He equally advised that indigenes should stop cutting down bamboo in order to have surplus for export.

At the end of the session, participants were given opportunity to clear their doubts and the following questions were asked and answered accordingly:

Question:How can we be empowered to start a bamboo business?

Answer: At pilot stage, you start by exporting the product, then you can consider investment.

QuestionJeremiah Sunday Akpan)How do we access the farm to harvest the bamboo since there is no access road and it's location is swampy?

Answer: The company will devise a means. It is an opportunity to make money, people will cut down, others will load and offload,..in general, it will be well coordinated.

Question: Akaninyene Ndarake Akpan,(Iwerre)When do we start the cultivation process?

Answer: We will assess the bamboo farm after which decision will be taken to start the selling processs.

Question:Samuel Udo James (mbiabet Ikpe)
How beneficial is it to our land the truth being that it occupies and destroys other cash crops around it?

Answer: It can grow on certain land like swampy areas where other cash crop cannot grow and We will sign an offtake guarantee agreement.

Question: What is the quantity demanded for purchase?

Answer: The company has demand of 7-10containers of bamboo.