The ethanol project in Okeluse in Ifon Local Government area of Ondo State which will be flagged off by President Muhammadu Buhari next month will create about one million direct and indirect jobs.
Speaking on the level of work done so far, Senior Special Assistant to Ondo State Governor on Agriculture, Mr Akin Olotu said the Technical partners from China are already in the state.
Olotu who disclosed that Ondo state government has reiterated its commitment to the implementation of the Ethanol project, said the ground breaking ceremony will be carried out in November.
According to him, the factory is already designed. He added that land clearing at the location will begin this week.
He said the state is not talking about project design or seeking partners for the project, stressing that the project is at the implementation stage adding that President Muhammadu Buhari will come for the ground breaking ceremony in November.
While saying cassava farmers in the State will be adequately engaged, Olotu said the factory requires between 30 to 48 tonnes of cassava on a daily basis, adding that cassava will soon become hot cake in the state.
“Although we did not initiate the project, it was initiated under Agagu’s administration but abandoned, so the Governor said we should go after it, we are now talking about implementation, it is not just project design or that we are seeking partners for it.
Now the world is talking about renewable energy. With the Ethanol that is coming from the place today, it means that Ondo is coming to the forefront of renewable energy in terms of replacement for fossil fuel.
Even when fossil fuel is no longer in vogue in the world, we will not be out of the map because we will be in the forefront not just in southwest but in the country in terms of Ethanol production” he stressed.
Olotu who noted that the programme is a big plus to the administration of Arakunrin Akeredolu, said people will celebrate it when it is finally done.
