Expert Advocates Legislation On Ethanol Production

An expert on agroethanol, Mr Olaoluwa Bamikole, has called for legislation on the production and use of ethanol as an alternative source of cooking fuel.

Speaking in Abuja, yesterday, Bamikole, a consultant, said the legislation had become imperative to reduce over-dependence on kerosene.

He also urged the Federal Government to make policies that would support the production of ethanol.

“If National Assembly can give legislative support to ethanol, then over reliance on kerosene for cooking will reduce and people will bother less about kerosene scarcity.”

“It is good to have ethanol as an option for cooking because it is cheaper; it does not emit smoke and it burns fast. A family of five can cook with a litre of ethanol for five hours and it will also help to reduce deforestation,” he said.

According to him, ethanol can be produced from cassava, sorghum, maize, cellulose and sugarcane, among other starchy crops.

He urged the Ministry of Environment, NNPC, Department of Petroleum Resources and Energy Commission of Nigeria as well as investors to support the production of ethanol as an alternative source and to be dispensed at the filling stations.