RE: ABIA STATE GOVT. TO PARTNER RUBBER RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF NIGERIA FOR IMPROVED PRODUCTIVITY
– UNVEILING THE INEPTITUDE OF THE RUBBER RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF NIGERIA.
I write in reference to the above article dated July 9, 2025 and published by Ctz. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Governor of Abia State.
As one who is an authority in the field of Natural Rubber production with experience spanning over 30 years in the Rubber Industry and as an Abia son who continued to commend Dr Alex Otti OFR for his leadership style in trying to rebuild the Abia we want, I ink down my disapproval of any partnership with the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN).
Established by the promulgation of Decree No. 35 of 1973, the Federal Government of Nigeria took over the organization of rubber production in the country and amalgamated the Rubber Research Stations; Iyanomo with the Rubber Research Station and Akwete (in the then East Central State) became what is now known as Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria which mission was to “provide innovations that will develop and transform the natural rubber, gum arabic and other aspects of latex industry, applying cutting edge scientific know-how delivered by motivated, dedicated and highly trained manpower in a manner that sustains the ecosystem with maximum economic benefit to Nigeria”. Unfortunately the Institute has long aborted its laudable mission and has assumed a monumental failure. Many including myself believe that the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria (RRIN) ranks top among the Institutes and Agencies of the Federal Government that have failed due to gross mismanagement and ineptitude despite budgetary allocations from the Federation Account.
For the avoidance of doubt, the RRIN’s Iyanomo Rubber Plantation located at Edo State Nigeria has the capacity to produce 200 Tons – 300 Tons of Rubber lumps monthly but today it’s only able to produce 60 Tons -80 Tons per month (30 Tons- 40 Tons every two weeks) which accounts for only 30% yield of the actual capacity of the Iyanomo Rubber Plantation due to lack of manpower to tap the Rubber Trees which are now lost in the wild.
RRIN’s Rubber Plantation at Akwete, Ukwa East Local Government Area of Abia State was producing 140 Tons – 150 Tons of Rubber Lumps every month (70 Tons – 75 Tons every two weeks), is currently producing less than 40 Tons per month (20 Tons every two weeks). The Rubber Trees in Akwete have become Wild trees with no plan in sight to replanting the Rubber Estate by the Rubber Research Institute.
Their Rubber Plantation at Ondo State after Ore before Ijebu Ode off Benin- Lagos Road faces the same fate resulting to its under-productivity.
For the sake of emphasis, the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria have not been replanting their old trees and have not been advising the Federal Government of Nigeria as they should so as to develop the Rubber Economy of Nigeria and it’s sad bearing in mind that Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam and even India were no where close to Nigeria in the Rubber Industry before the Rubber Research Institute was established.
There’s not a single Rubber Factory owned by the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria anywhere, so what innovation and productivity are they bringing to Abia Rubber Estates Limited?
In conclusion, it appears to me that whoever introduced the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria to the Government of Abia State did not do his or her due diligence on the Institute. I hope this is not the handiworks of the opposition who are trying their best possible to see that Governor Alex Otti fails otherwise why would any people’s Government like that of Governor Alex Otti associate with an Agency that has distinguished itself as an acute failure in the management of its organization? If they want to come partner with Abia State Government, the Government should simply ask them to first go and properly manage their organization to its full effect on the Nigerian economy through productivity.
I have no doubt in my mind that the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria is only targeting Abia State Government money and not about any innovation and productivity. At best they will issue the Abia State Government with Invoices for their supply of improved rubber seeds, even help to replant but will abandon the projects afterwards. That’s what those of us in the Rubber Industry know them for.
Abia State Government must beware of such unserious organizations coming for partnerships.
–Maazi Obinna Agommuo is an Afro-industrial revolutionist.
