BY DAUD OLATUNJI
ABEOKUTA-Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology Hon. Abiodun  Akinlade has  disclosed that the House of Representatives would soon come up with  a law  that will compel flour millers across the country to add at least 10 percent cassava content to wheat flour for bread production.

Akinlade,who represents Ipokia/Yewa South Federal constituency in Ogun State stated this shortly  after he was conferred with the Patronship of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council at its Awards and Galanite held in Abeokuta.

He said  that the inclusion and utilization of cassava flour for bread production could save Nigeria a whooping sum of N200 billion annually, adding that it  would generate employment opportunities for teeming jobless Nigerians and would also affect positively the Nigerian balance of payement.

“Let me use this opportunity to advocate on the policy of the Federal Government on utilizing cassava flour in bread making. As the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology, I wish to identify myself with this policy which has the potentials of saving the country over N200 billion annually and also create market for our cassava farmers.

“Cassava is mostly grown in Southern Nigeria and Ogun state is one of the leading producers of Cassava in Africa. Out people will therefore definitely benefit immensely from the policy. The House of Representatives is currently working on a law to compel flour millers to add at least 10 percent Cassava content to wheat flour for bread making in order to give legal muscle to the policy.

“I have had several opportunities of eating Cassava bread and I can confirm that it is not too different from the regular bread. Let us all support this initiative in the interest of the nation and the economy of our State”, he concluded.