By Elizabeth ADENUGA
The Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) has unveiled its newly fabricated solar boiler and garri processor to enhance
food and agro-allied processing activities in the country.
The information is in a statement by the institute’s Director-General, Prof. Gloria Elemo on Tuesday in Lagos.
Elemo stated that the solar powered boiler was fabricated to solve the issue of irregular power supply which hindered production in the industry.
She noted that the steam boiler could be used in major industrial sectors such as food and beverages, pulp and paper products, textile and chemical industries.
She added that “more than 90 per cent of materials used in fabricating the boiler are sourced locally, and this means a lot of savings for the country in terms of foreign exchange.
“The garri processor is equipped with modern technology and an inbuilt computer which can be programmed in any Nigerian language so that the illiterate
farmer in any part of the country can operate it.”
The FIIRO boss who emphasised the need for steam and heat in manufacturing processes, listed some FIIRO-developed equipment that use steam to include
the drum dryer, pasteuriser, parboiler, palm oil refining plant and the ginger oleo-resin.
Others are; essential oil distillation plant, fruit juice/paste concentrate ethanol processing plant, pulp and paper digester, blanching and sterilisation.
She stated that the mobile garri processing unit was to solve the problem of small-scale processors, as it helps to ease their work and save man hour.
She noted that the processor would also enhance efficiency, as well as reduce the cost of processing garri, while its mobile nature would make it possible to service
more people at their convenience.
Elemo said that the institute would continue to develop more technologies that would impact on the activities of major stakeholders, the Small, Medium and Large
scale enterprises to spur economic growth.
