BY SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN— SOUTH African investors have indicated interest to set up an ethanol refinery in Edo State. Executive Chairman of Industrial Development Holding, South Africa, Mr. Mxolesi Mbetse, made the disclosure when he paid Governor Adams Oshiomhole a courtesy visit in Benin.

He said: “What we plan for Edo State is that in the next five to 10 years, we will completely eliminate the importation of palm oil. We want to ensure that Nigeria becomes the exporter of not only palm oil, sugar, but also ethanol.

“I was in Brazil and was amazed at the way they used technology to produce ethanol and today, Brazil produces billions of ethanol.”
Mr. Mbetse told the governor that from his findings, Edo State was well-endowed with abundant agriculture and natural resources that could sustain industrialisation and industrial growth, not only in the state and the geo-political zone, but the entire country.

He said “When you look at the issue of agriculture and how important it is to Nigeria and the strategic nature of Edo State, it becomes very necessary that all hands must be put on deck to improve the lives of the people.
“What we need to do is to, within a foreseeable future, use renewable energy and ethanol is the most important component of this renewable energy.”