Explore bamboo industry : President Mahama urges private sector

President John Dramani Mahama has challenged the private sector to explore the bamboo industry, where a great deal of potential exists. He said with abundant raw material base, the market flourishing, and government ready to support the business to thrive, the future of the industry looked bright, of which the private sector could take advantage.

The President was speaking during a visit to the Pioneer Bamboo Processing Company at Assin Foso in the Central Region on Saturday.

The familiarisation visit was the second in a programme he had drawn up to tour local industries in line with his vision to encourage and support them to boost production.

Pioneer Bamboo Company uses bamboo to produce school desks, doors, furniture, beds and other products.

Commendation

President Mahama said it was unjustifiable for the country to spend scarce dollars to import toothpick when they could be produced in abundance in the country.

He commended the company for the work it was doing and promised that government would support it to deliver more.

The President said the nation needed to broaden the scope of its economic development, pointing out that, “We cannot continue to rely on primary products to develop the economy.”

He promised the people of the area more development projects to better their lives.

CEO

The Chief Executive Officer  (CEO) of the company, Mr Gladstone Agbolosoo, said the President’s visit had boosted the confidence of management and staff to do more.

He, however, appealed for government support, especially in the area of machinery.

He said finished products of the company meet the international market’s standard.

Meanwhile, President Mahama has consoled victims of last Friday’s fuel tanker explosion at Assin Foso.

Last Saturday, he sympathised with the victims and donated an undisclosed amount of money to them to help assuage their suffering.