NIGERIA — The Enugu State Government has signed a monumental ₦40 billion (US$51 million) agreement with Jelfah Nigeria Limited to revitalize Sunrise Flour Mills 39 years after it was abandoned.
The announcement, made by Governor Peter Mbah marks a critical step in the government’s ongoing efforts to boost the local economy and create jobs through strategic partnerships with the private sector.
The deal will see Jelfah Nigeria Limited, led by Chairman Moses Saromi, acquire a 60% equity stake in Sunrise Flour Mills.
Of the total ₦40 billion investment, ₦24 billion (US$30.7 million) will be provided by Jelfah, with ₦22 billion (US$28.2 million) earmarked for the facility’s revitalization and ₦2 billion (US$2.6 million) allocated for state development projects.
Governor Mbah described the partnership as a “decisive step” towards reviving the state’s moribund assets and advancing economic transformation.
“Today, we took another decisive step towards revitalising our moribund assets. We signed a landmark ₦40 billion deal with Jelfah Nigeria Ltd to revitalise the long-abandoned Sunrise Flour Mills at Emene,” Mbah said.
He emphasized that this significant partnership would not only restore the flour mill but also support the local economy by creating jobs and enhancing food production.
As part of the agreement, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) will be established to manage 10,000 hectares of farmland dedicated to growing essential crops like cassava and grains, which will serve as inputs for the revitalized mill. This vertically integrated approach ensures a steady supply chain and strengthens Enugu’s agricultural output.
The deal follows a series of high-profile agreements aimed at boosting Enugu’s economy, which Governor Mbah aims to grow from its current US$4.4 billion to US$30 billion through strategic investments in agriculture and agro-industrialization.
On September 13, the state launched a ₦100 billion (US$128 million) revitalization project for the Enugu United Palm Products Limited (EUPPL) in collaboration with Pragmatic Palms Limited. The project aims to restore 20,000 hectares of palm plantations and establish modern oil mills, creating 3,500 jobs.
Governor Mbah’s administration has also been active in supporting local farmers and entrepreneurs. In August, the state government distributed ₦4.6 billion ($5.9 million) worth of agricultural inputs and MSME grants.
This initiative provided 12,000 farmers with fertilizers, distributed 51 power tillers, and supplied agricultural inputs to 1,251 beneficiaries across all 17 local government areas.
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