The Federal Government is targeting 40million jobs from the implementation of the methanol fuel policy technology in the country.
Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, disclosed this in Abuja at the sensitisation workshop of the public on methanol fuel production technology policy, where he emphasized the need for Nigeria to adopt a different approach in the development of methanol fuel production.
He said that over the years, the nation had failed to add value to its abundant natural resources, which has resulted in revenue loss, stagnated job creation and increased poverty in the country.
He lamented lack of value addition to the nation’s vast natural resources which has turned Nigeria to importer of certain items it has comparative advantage to produce and export in order to boost its economy.
He said: “We exported cocoa but imported chocolate.We exported groundnuts but imported peanut butter. We exported wood but imported toothpicks.We exported crude oil but imported petroleum products.This has reduced revenue generation, stagnated job creation, aggravated poverty in the country and weakened both our currency and the economy.”
According to him,methanol-driven economy is beneficial in job creation, technology development and domestication, electricity generation, clean household energy services, stoppage of gas flaring and achieving environmental sustainability.
He said with the introduction of methanol, manufacturers will use it as a feedstock for several product lines.
He added:”As a fuel in the transport sector, it is cheaper than PMS(petrol), friendly to the environment, has higher octane rating and enhances performance of vehicles.Furthermore, methanol can be blended with PMS at 15% methanol and 85%PMS. This blend can be used in all vehicles without requiring any significant modification.
“The use of kerosene and wood for cooking darkens pots and may lead to some health challenges, if one is exposed to the fumes for long, during cooking.Methanol, being a cleaner and cheaper fuel, will help to solve this problem”
