About N20 million has been voted by the Kwara state Polytechnic, Ilorin, for the establishment of a business venture comprising sachet water, block making factories and a bakery, the Rector of the polytechnic, Alhaji Masud Elelu, has said.

Elelu made the disclosure during the official commissioning of the sachet water factory, located within the polytechnic.

He said all the industries under the venture would be established in the institution, and that the sachet water factory would  produce 28,000 litres for a start, stressing that there was room for expansion.

Elelu said the institution would ensure that the sachet water was produced under a hygienic condition in line with the National Agency for Foods, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) standards.

He said the factory would start with about 10 staff, after which if expanded, other staff would be added.

The rector said the institution was working hard to incorporate the student entrepreneurial curriculum into the activities of the venture "so that they can learn trade before leaving school."

"The polytechnic has already mobilised the engineering department to design and produce an ice block making machine to add to the sachet water factory," he said.