The Osun Cocoa Products Industry, Ede, is to start production of cocoa powder, butter and cake by October.

The Osun Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Co-operatives, Mr Ismaila Alagbada, said in Osogbo on Monday that the resuscitated Osun Cocoa Products Industry, Ede, set up to process and refine cocoa, will start processing raw cocoa produce to cocoa butter, power and cake before the end of the year.

He said that the resuscitation of the cocoa industry was one of the seven-point integral agenda of the administration to create jobs and business opportunities in the state.

“By 2018, before the expiration of the tenure of the present administration, the cocoa industry will start producing chocolate.

“I can tell you, by the special grace of God, the cocoa industry would start producing cocoa cake by October.’’ the commissioner said

He said the state government had a lot in the offing, pointing out that with time, more business and industrial plans would be unveiled to drive the state’s economy.

The cocoa industry which was established in 1982 became moribund in 2001.

The company was revived by Gov. Rauf Aregbesola’s administration in 2016 in partnership with a Chinese company.

-NAN