GLOBAL Biofuels Limited, an indigenous energy firm has commenced construction works on its integrated ethanol refinery complex and life camp in Ilemeso area of Ekiti State. The refinery, estimated to gulp about N12.5 billion would have approximately 1.5 million litres production capacity when completed as speculated in December 2009.

The project is in compliance with the Kyoto Agreement, where Nigeria is expected to achieve the E10 requirement. E10 means that 10 per cent of ethanol would be mixed with 90 per cent fuel. The initiative is mainly to ensure cheap and clean energy to tackle energy poverty and reduce global warming in this part of the world.

The ethanol refinery in Ekiti is about the second of its type in the country, the first one was kicked off in Arigidi, Ondo State early this year. And more are expected to spring up in Osun, Oyo, Kwara, Kogi, Niger and Kaduna.

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony in Ekiti State recently, the Chairman of Global Biofuel, Chief Joseph Sanusi said apart from the numerous economic importance of the product, more than 58,000 Nigerians are bound to gain employment from the project. "Approximately 8000 of them will be directly employed, while 50,000 will be indirect," he said.

He stressed that the project would contribute to reducing the burden of fuel importation on the economy and further enhances economic diversification from the much reliance oil to agriculture.

Global Biofuels ethanol is to be produced from sweet sorghum, a farm produce, the company said was in abundance in parts of the country.

Allaying the fears of contributing to food crises as claimed to be experiencing in some countries now, Sanusi said the company would only utilse the stem of sweet sorghum, therefore leaving the grain for human consumption.

In a swift reaction to starting production, it has immediately commenced breeding of sweet sorghum on 11,000 hectares (ha) of land acquired from the state government. As at last week about five hectares are already planted.

The Executive Director of the company, Prof. Babatunde Obilana said, "as at now, five hectares of farmland bush has been cleared, ploughed and ridged. Planting is being completed using two varieties. In the second season of this 2008 crop year, the feedstock is planned to expand to 50 ha and upscaled to 300 ha in the first cropping season of 2009. In the next 18 months, total 300ha of sweet sorghum feedstock will be harvested to feed the ethanol refinery for crushing, clarification of juice and fermentation into ethanol. "The first cup of ethanol from Ekiti refinery is expected to come off by December 2009/January 2010," he explained.

Global Biofuels had in late March this year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ekiti State government. The agreement was signed by the Managing Director of the Company, Mr. Felix Obada, while the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr. Akin Omotayo signed for the state.

The Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Segun Oni described the project as a welcomed development that stands a chance to boost the economy of the state, he therefore promised full support of his administration for the project. He added that the development would make the state more productive and highly industrialised and further positioned it as one of the most vibrant economy in West Africa.