The development of a bio-economy vis-a-vis cassava and other bio-resources policy of the federal government, is aimed at bringing about higher GDP growth and significant reduction of unemployment through the creation of meaningful opportunities for the youths.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Budget And National Planning, Nebeolisa Anako stated this in Asaba during his keynote address at the South-South zonal sensitization workshop on Strategic Implementation of the Biothanol Project with the theme “Knowledge Transfer: Cassava And Bio-ethanol Value Chain”, held in Asaba, Delta State.
Nebeolisa, who was represented at the occasion by Mrs Elizabeth Egharevba, a director on Economic Growth, noted that the Bio-economy Policy aims at promoting sustainable economic growth and development by creating a Bio-based economy that will contribute to the job creation, poverty reduction, and increased access to food and energy.
He said that it would be achieved through the development of the cassava bio-economy, as well as other bio-resources.
The permanent secretary said it was pertinent to look at the bio-economy response and how it could contribute to the deceleration of the rising food insecurity.
In his words, “The country, at this time, needs an approach that will increase food production, youth employment, and increased growth through the provision of industrial feedstock and exportable products to boost our economy.
“To achieve this, one strategic pathway is to develop the Cassava Bio-ethanol Value Chain. This becomes even more imperative, given the recent removal of subsidy on petroleum products, re-evaluation of the naira through the merging of official and non-official exchange windows. “Development of the Cassava Bio-ethanol value chain is a veritable pathway to assuage the economic impacts on citizens and for sustained development”.
He said the workshop is premised on developing modalities for implementing the Cassava Bio-ethanol project and creating enough awareness for project acceptance.
“The intention of this sensitization workshop is to develop the modalities for the implementation of the Cassava Bio-ethanol project as well as identify the key stakeholders required for the implementation of the entire value chain. It is also envisaged that this workshop will help to publicise this project to stakeholders for their buy-in and participation.”
Speaking at the event, Delta Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborewori said the workshop is targeted at educating farmers and Nigerians on the importance of cassava.
Oborevwori, who was represented by the permanent secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Ben Agamah, explained that transferring cassava and bioethanol has a value chain, which if well applied and implemented, would create job opportunities.
The state governor noted that the need not to waste cassava extracts if they could be used for other productions.
He said the state has put all mechanism in place to harness benefits derived from cassava through the Ministry of Agriculture.
Oborevwori, called on Deltans to take advantage of opportunities in investing in agriculture, saying it would help reduce poverty.
Prof Olumuyiwa James Jayeoba of the Association of Deans of Agriculture in Nigerian Universities (ADAN) commended the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget And Planning for the Bio-economy Innovation and Knowledge Transfer Partnership with ADAN and the sensitization workshop for the implementation of the full cassava value chain project.
He said ADAN was determined to coordinate and implement the pilot phase of the project.
“The Association has put (in place) a structure that allows for full implementation of the project including bio-entrepreneurship and curriculum development. In all, our students will also earn while they are learning bio-entrepreneurship,” he stated.
Other stakeholders who spoke at the workshop including, the vice chancellor, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Prof. Rim-Rukeh Akpofure, agreed that there was need to take the issue of bio-economy seriously as the way to go for an enhanced economy.