NAN-AE-5
Ethanol
Calabar, Oct. 31, 2016 (NAN) Mr Augustine Oqua, the Special Assistant to Gov. Ben Ayade on Religious Matters, says the proposed Cross River Ethanol Processing Plant will be completed in December.
Oqua told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Monday that more than anything else, the state government is committed to the actualization of the project, which is located in Obudu Local Government Area of the state.
The aide said the ethanol project would serve as an alternative revenue source for the state.
He said: “We are on course. Right now the parts for the plant are being imported to the country.
“And I am sure that by December, everything about the plant will be completed and the ground-breaking ceremony with hold.
“The governor is not relenting on the project; he is the facilitator of the project and he is committed to ensuring its actualization.’’
Oqua, who is the state Chairman of Cassava Growers Association of Nigeria (CGAN), stated that as the second largest producer of cassava in the country, Cross River is ready to fully take advantage of its position to diversify its economy.
“Our government is targeting agriculture as the mainstay of the state’s economy and with cassava, we will definitely realise that target,’’ he said.
He explained that many countries of the world have used ethanol in many ways to grow their economy.
“We can also achieve that in Nigeria beginning with Cross River as a pilot state,’’ he stated.
NAN reports that the project is estimated to cost the state government more than N500 million. (NAN)
BEN/YEE/YEE
Edited by Emmanuel Yashim
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