The Federal Government, on Wednesday, partnered with Montserrado Investments Ltd. and the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIRRO) Oshodi on investment in bioethanol production in Ekiti State.
The Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Uche Nnaji, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Montserrado Investments Ltd. and FIRRO in Abuja.
Nnaji said the collaboration was a significant milestone in a shared commitment to advancing Nigeria’s bio-energy value chain and promoting sustainable development.
“Today’s agreement is a testament to our collective efforts to support government’s commitment to transition to clean cooking fuel.
“By facilitating the production and use of ethanol derived from cassava, we are taking a vital step towards reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and embracing renewable energy sources,” he said.
The minister explained that the cassava-to-ethanol industry represented a powerful engine for economic growth.
According to him, local farmers need to be supported by fostering such an industry.
This can be achieved by creating a sustainable supply chain and stimulating employment across the agricultural sector.
Nnaji stated that promoting import substitution through the development of a domestic ethanol production industry was critical to national development.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the President on Trade and Investment, John Uwajumogu said the project was about using innovation to convert agricultural resources into energy sources.
He said this would facilitate the ability to develop local capacity for utilising agricultural products.
The Chief Executive Officer, of Montserrado Ltd, Mr Ifeanyi Ajuluchukwu said his company’s job was to ensure the conversion of cassava into economic value.
He said that the Ekiti government already laid the foundation by doing proper studies and encouraging and supporting its farmers to produce excess cassava.
Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti said that there were up to 30,000 hectares of land devoted to cassava production in the state.
Oyebanji was represented by the state Commissioner for Innovation, Seun Fakuade,
Earlier, Jummai Tutuwa, CEO, of FIRRO, remarked that the MoU not only signified investment in bioethanol production but also in the future of Ekiti and Nigeria at large.
NAN
