How Cassava Can Create Over Three Million Jobs

How Cassava Can Create Over Three Million Jobs – Onu

The Minister of Science Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, has said cassava can create over three million jobs if only 20 per cent of the commodity is used to replace wheat in producing bread.

The Minister of Science Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu said cassava can create over three million jobs if only 20 per cent of the commodity is used to replace wheat in producing bread.

Speaking while playing host to a delegation of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, (NESG) in Abuja, on Tuesday, January 5, Onu assured of his ministry commitment in improving the nation’s agricultural produce by processing food and curbing wastages.

The minister stated that import substitution and development of new technologies were seriously needed to resuscitate country’s ailing economy. He explained further that the ministry was also working to domesticate technologies that would help produce imported machines in the country, but would be achieved through investment in research and development.

Onu blamed the poor level of technological development on inadequate collaboration between the public and private sectors, universities and research institutions for not utilizing research findings.

The minister described the NESG as an avenue to the private sector, and promised the delegation of the ministry’s desire to partner with them.

Responding, chairman of NESG Board of Directors, Mr. Kyari Bukar, said the visit was to foster working relationship with the ministry and its agencies to create public-private collaboration required to make science and technology the key to achieving competitiveness, inclusive growth and sustainability in the country.

Bukar further stated that the quick execution of science, technology and innovation policy would enable the ministry contribute immensely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Meanwhile, Nigerian youths have been urged by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, to clinch technical skills as part of effort to quash unemployment.