Bio-ethanol value chain ‘ll create more employment than other sectors -FG

The Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget, and National Planning says the Cassava Bio-Ethanol Value Chain is capable of creating more employment than any other sector in Nigeria.

Dr. Nebeolisa Anako, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, gave the hint on Tuesday at the North-East Regional Awareness and Sensitization Workshop on Bio-Economy, Employment, and Inclusive Growth in Yola.

Supreme News reports that the workshop was organised by the ministry in collaboration with Veekites Global Services Ltd., using the cassava bio-ethanol value chain Development programme as its pilot project.

Anakosaid that economic diversification was critical to the economic sustainability of the nation, adding that Nigeria, being the world's largest producer of cassava, had no excuse to be import-dependent.

Anako, represented by Alhaji Auwal Mohamed, Deputy Director, Economic Growth, in the ministry, said that the sensitisation programmes would trickle down to the local governments.

He said this was to enable rural farmers become abreast with goal of achieving wealth and employment from bio-economy.

He also explained that universities were critical partners so as to involve students in the project.

The permanent secretary assured that the programme would be sustainable as long as Nigerians began to enjoy its benefits.

He also said that the programme was funded through Public Private Partnership (PPP) as many other donors had shown commitment.

He thanked the states in the North-East for their demonstration of commitment in the implementation of the project.

In His remarks, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa, commenced the federal government for initiating the programme.

Fintiri, represented by Mrs Edna Lulu, Director in the Adamawa Ministry of Agriculture, expressed the commitment of the state to key into any form of economic diversification.

According to Fintiri, the era of putting all your eggs in one basket is gone.

Prof. Ken Ife, Lead Consultant, NEPAD, and Consultant Biosources and Technologies, said that cassava bioethanol would generate more wealth than crude oil.

Ife said that Nigeria, as a leading world producer of cassava, could generate 35 billion dollars annually from cassava exports.

He said that cassava flour could only generate more income for many Nigerians.

He, however, noted that the economy had relegated cassava to a veritable raw material for economic growth, saying that its importance outweighed most agricultural produce as well as mineral resources.

Supreme News reports that the event was attended by students, university lecturers, as well as officials of the CBN, the Bank of Industry, the ministries of agriculture, finance and budget planning, trade, and investment, among others.