From Judex Okoro, Calabar
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River has disclosed that the state- manufactured noodles, Kisimie, would hit the market soon once it obtains a National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) certification.
Ayade, who made the disclosure when he paid an unscheduled visit to observe the production process at the Industiral Park on Wesnesday, expressed satisfaction with the quality of noodles being produced at the Cross River Noodles Factory.
An elated Ayade said the federal agency ( NAFDAC) has visited the facility and asked for certain modifications which the state government has effected.
He commended the concessionaire for embarking on the final stages of test production preparatory to commencing commercial production as soon as NAFDAC gives the nod, expressing optimism that the product would commence full production before the December festive period.
“Today, we are at the Cross River Instant Noodles Factory where we are doing the final test run with the Executive Council of Cross River State to witness the production works of the concessionaire.
“We want to say we are particularly proud of the concessionaire we have given the factory. Our brand, which is Calavita and Kisimie, are fully operational and the product will soon be hitting the market.
“l, therefore, implore every Cross Riverian and Nigerians alike to please patronise this fresh noodles produced only from natural ingredients with the spices having their origin from the Nigerian farms and waters. We have organic spices particularly good for children. This is noodles that is of African origin with natural flavor.
“We cannot hit the markets until we have a NAFDAC approval. NAFDAC have come here and done all their specification studies and issued us a report which we are closing out on.
“We have met all their requirements. We are going through our own internal check list and once we are satisfied with our checklist we will ask NAFDAC to come for final inspection.”
Ayade called on the federal ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to partner with the state government in school feeding program by encouraging and patronising the factory for healthy breakfast and launch.
He said with the partnership, the noodles cna be vitamized for the
school feeding program by producing and incorporating growth hormones into the product.
According to him, “this is how third world countries advance into first world.”