By Chris Chimezie
|
Ondo State Government in partnership with the Federal Government through the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation,  (NNPC), will begin a cassava-ethanol project in the Northern part of the state soon.

The Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor on Development and Investment, Mr Boye Oyewumi, disclosed this at the proposed site of the plant at Okeluse in Ose Local Government Area of the state.

Oyewumi maintained that the ethanol project which would also involve a consortium of  OBAX worldwide Ltd, complant in partnership with NNPC would create 12000 direct jobs while over 200,000 farmers would be fully engaged.

“We are here with the representatives of NNPC, OBAX worldwide Ltd and a Chinese company called complant. I’m happy to inform you that we are now about to start”, he said.

Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Agriculture and Agri-business , Mr Akin Olotu, said the NNPC team was on ground to look at the terrain, and dialogue with the community.

He said the project would provide jobs for thousands of people directly and indirectly. He assured that the industry would be the answer to the people’s agitation for industrialization over the years.

“It’s an ethanol plant and we are looking at close to a million tonnes capacity plant. Imagine the multiplier effects on the economy of the state and individuals,” he said.

Earlier at the palace of the Ojima of Okeluse, the Special Adviser had solicited the support and cooperation of the community throughout the establishment process.

While appealing that his people be carried along in the execution of the project, Oba Adeyeoba Owasunloye expressed optimism that his subjects would be favourably disposed to its early completion.

He observed with concern the failure of past administrations in keeping their promises to develop the town while appealing to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to make the project a reality.

Also, a community leader, Engr. Emmanuel Fasaanu advised the State Government to be timely with the project and ensure that the time for its delivery did not change.

He described the gesture as one of the greatest things that will happen to the people.

The leader of the foreign team, Mr Wang Qing  in his remarks,  stressed that the Federal government was interested in the programme.

He promised to carry out the project at the event, and the needed research as urgently as possible.

Mr Qing appreciated the level of hospitality extended to the members of his team by the host community which he said would stir them to work and deliver the project on time.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment of the cassava-ethanol plant in Okeluse had earlier been signed by the Ondo Sate Government and the NNPC.