Ondo Cassava-Ethanol project to create 12,000 jobs- ODSG
By Ayodeji Alabi
Ethanol
Akure, Sept.21, 2018 (NAN) The Ondo State Government says its cassava-ethanol project, in collaboration with the Federal Government, will begin before the end of 2018, and create 12,000 jobs.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the project was signed less than two weeks ago.
Mr Bode Oyewunmi, the Special Adviser (S.A) to the Ondo State Governor on Development and Investment, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen during the site visitation to the ethanol project at Okeluse, Ose Local Government in Ondo State on Friday.
Oyewunmi, also the Chief Executive Officer, Ondo State Development and Investment Promotion Agency (ONDIPA), explained that the project would create 12,000 direct jobs while over 200,000 farmers would be fully engaged.
“We are here with the representatives of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and a Chinese company called Complant.
“The site was acquired many years ago, however, the project was sort of moribund, but it’s now about to start.
“The processing plant would in turn be beneficial to millions of citizens within the state, country and diaspora,” he said.
Also, Mr Akin Olotu, Senior Special Assistant to the state governor on Agriculture and Agri-business, said the NNPC team were 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, while it was also an answer to the challenges experienced over the years in terms of industrialisation.
“It is an ethanol plant and we are looking at close to a million ton capacity mill plant. Imagine the multiplier effect on the economy of the state and individuals,” he said.
Earlier at the palace of the Arujale Ojima of Okeluse, Oyewunmi solicited the support and cooperation of the community throughout the establishment of the project.
Oba Adeyeoba Owasunloye, the Arujale Ojima of Okeluse, noted that his people must be carried along in the project and assured that his subjects were always favourably disposed towards strangers.
He observed that previous administrations had failed various promises to the town and appealed to Governor Akeredolu to make the project a reality.
Mr Wang Qing, the team leader of the Chinese representatives, said utmost importance was being given to the project and assured the monarch that a report of the visibility study would be provided fast.
He further appreciated Nigerians for the hospitality shown to his team since they arrived in the country. (NAN)
AYOD/UDO/AFA
Edited by Udochukwu Ifionu/ Felix Ajide