The Federal Government has called for collaboration and partnership with Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and International Fund for Agriculture (IFAD), for the execution of its cassava bio-ethanol project which is in the pilot phase.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Egnr. Nebolisa Anako sought for the collaboration of the United Nations bodies when he received their representatives in his office in Abuja.

Egnr. Anako said the Cassava bio-ethanol project has the capacity to create employment and grow the nation’s economy while also making food available.

“Let me mention that a deliverable of the NDP is growing the bio-economy. On this score, next week we are commencing zonal sensitisation workshops in each geo-political zone on the development of this area, starting with the cassava bio-ethanol value chain so as to create employment, and grow Nigeria’s industry and food availability.

“I want emphasize that Nigeria is the biggest producer of cassava in the world and we want to develop and expand this value chain. A cassava bio-ethanol pilot project has accordingly been awarded earlier this year by the Federal Executive Council and it is set to commence.

” Therefore, you visit today is instructive as your mandate cover this area. As such, I call for close collaboration and partnership with the FAO and IFAD in this regard. We are involving research institutions, Universities, Industry player and Investors, State Governments and farmers in a teiple-helix knowledge sharing and development initiative”, he said.

The Permanent Secretary further applauded the steps taken by the Tinubu administration in reforming the nation’s economy to attain the country’s development target as encapsulated in the National Development Plan (NDP) 2021-2025, and Nigeria Agenda 2025.

“The administration has already taken bold steps towards economic rejuvenation including the removal of fuel subsidy, and convergence of exchange rate windows. With these measures, efforts mist be taken to alleviate Andy immediate burden on the populace and the mechanism are being put in place by the administration”.

Speaking on partnership, Egnr. Anako expressed optimism about the partnership stressing that the Ministry had earlier worked with all UN Agencies to develop the integrated UN Country programme 2023-2027 which was endorsed by the Nigeria’s Government , represented by the Ministry.