According to a report this past week by The Tide (Port Harcourt, Nigeria), a Swedish firm, Greenland Resources, says it will establish a pulp mill that would generate employment for more than 14,000 Nigerians in Cross River.

.

Torbjorn Johansson, president of the firm, made the disclosure in Calabar when he led a management team of the firm on a courtesy visit to Governor Ben Ayade. He said that the pulp mill would increase the country’s exports, adding that it would also generate 1.5 million metric tpy. Johansson explained that the firm needed land to establish the pulp mill. He said that the establishment of the mill would not have any adverse effect on the state’s eco-system.

 

Johansson further stated that the choice of the state was a result of its peaceful atmosphere and unprecedented security. 

According to him, this country has a big population, great workforce, and the security in Cross River is the best.

 

"We have been travelling around the world to find a place to site the industry, and we were very close to giving up. But the Swedish Embassy in Nigeria advised us to come to Calabar; so we are here," he said.

 

Johansson said that biofuel, viscos, and bio-plastic products as well as raw materials for carbon fiber could be produced in the pulp mill frame. He further said that the finished products of the mill would be directed to international and domestic paper manufacturers.

 

He also detailed that the firm would source its finances from investment and commercial banks, adding that negotiations were ongoing with other investors in this regard. Responding, the governor assured the investors that his administration would support the execution of the project. He said that creating more than 14,000 jobs would be a huge relief for his government.

 

"We will do all we can as a government to support you...We are excited about your project. I know what comes out of this. The 14,000 jobs are a huge relief for me as a government, because 14,000 means 1.4 million people feeding from 14,000, given the African brotherhood and love for each other."

 

"We are ready to fast-track the documentation process to ensure that you get the facilities you are seeking," Ayade said. He urged the relevant com