Ondo Chocolate Factory: Akeredolu’s aide disagrees with Senator over sale of Factory

The Senator representing Ondo Central, Ayo Akinyele, has alleged that some aides of the Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, are selling some state assets fraudulently following the Governor’s ill-health. However, aide to the Governor has dispelled the allegations saying due process was followed.

Akinyele, in a media briefing in Abuja is accusing the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Agriculture, Pastor Akinola Olotu, is conniving with some people to illegally sell out the Ondo State chocolate factory worth between N9bn and N15bn at a give-away price of N10m.

The establishment of the Coca processing factory was under the administration of the immediate past Governor of the state, Olusegun Mimiko which according to him was “part of his state-wide industrialization drive, by taking over the moribund Federal Government Asset and entering into a partnership with an American chocolate industrialist, Eric Reid of Spangvola Chocolatier United States of America to convert dried Cocoa bean from the state to Chocolate and cocoa butter”.

Production in the said factory was made possible after the installation of machinery in a partnership with Spangvola Chocolatiers, “The machinery for the smooth take-off of this very important Industry in Idanre was imported, installed and equipped for commencement of production in partnership with Mr Eric of Spangvola Chocolatiers, USA, while the first batch of Chocolate production was made in 2015 after the commissioning of this multi-billion naira project by the state government at the twilight of the Governor Olusegun Mimiko Administration in 2015.

 “To guarantee a constant supply of cocoa beans to the factory, the Oda Cocoa Plantation, which is over 1,744 Hectares, was resuscitated and made functional with over 250 Cocoa farmers’ up-scaling daily production from the farm to feed the factory.”

Olotu berates Senator, highlights sale due the non-functional state of factory

In response, Olotu denied the allegations assuring that due diligence were followed in the selling of the chocolate factory. He further berates the Senator over the current situation of the place as it had become non-functional.

He said, “What does Akinyelure know about the chocolate factory? Does he know the current situation of the place?

“The factory was set up before the coming of this administration but it was not functioning. Mr Governor looked at it to make sure one or two things are put in place to make sure that the place works. After that, the consultant that was managing the place was invited. He is a Caribbean based in America. In our interactions with him, when he got back, he was furious due to bad management.

“Eventually, we were able to work out something, and the place was declared open. Unfortunately, COVID-19 struck and he couldn’t come to Nigeria after the first visit. Then the Nigerians were trained, were managing the place, till their leader died. “

He noted that the government could not run a factory, stating that, “Akinyelure was just playing to the gallery.”

Olotu further stated that the sale of the factory was announced nationwide for bidders to apply, but he is surprised to hear that he was accused of secretly trying to sell a government asset.

Olotu insisted that due process was followed in the process of selling the chocolate factory.