Oyo Assembly Seeks End to Roadside Sun-Drying of Cassava for ‘Elubo’

 

The Oyo State House of Assembly has called for an end to the common practice of drying cassava flour on roadsides as part of efforts targeted at protecting public health and improving food safety, across the state.

The motion, jointly sponsored by Hon. Olalekan Abiola (Akinyele I) and Hon. Olatunde Kehinde (Akinyele II), urged the state government to take decisive steps toward providing safer, modern alternatives for cassava processors.

Cassava flour, known locally as lafun or elubo, is a staple in many Oyo homes and a major source of livelihood for thousands of rural families.

Yet, many processors, faced with the absence of proper drying facilities, still rely on open roads and pavements to sun-dry the product.

The lawmakers warned that this method is both unsafe and unsanitary. Cassava flour dried by the roadside is often exposed to dust, engine oil, heavy metals, microbes, and even animal droppings.

They also pointed out that such exposure could increase the risk of Lassa fever, as the rodents known to carry the virus are drawn to food residues like cassava flour.

Beyond the health risks, they noted, the practice also endangers motorists and pedestrians.

“This unhealthy method not only endangers lives but also tarnishes the image of our state. Piles of cassava spread along road shoulders can obstruct traffic, make roads slippery, and cause visibility problems for drivers,” the motion reads.

The Assembly compared Oyo’s situation with countries that have phased out roadside drying entirely, replacing it with enclosed mechanical systems that maintain hygiene and quality.

Lawmakers lamented that Oyo State still lacks such facilities, especially in rural areas where cassava processing remains a key economic activity.

To tackle the problem, the motion recommended that the state government, through the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Environment and Natural Resources, and Health, should: Build cassava drying platforms in rural communities, deploy agricultural extension officers to educate local processors on safe and hygienic drying practices, and partner with cooperatives, NGOs, and development agencies to introduce low-cost solar and raised drying technologies.

“We must prioritize the health of our citizens and the integrity of our food supply chain. This motion is a step towards modernizing cassava processing and protecting our communities,” the sponsors stated.

The House Committee on Food and Nutrition was also tasked with working alongside the relevant ministries to draft a regulatory framework that would monitor cassava processing and ensure long-term compliance with safety standards.

Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, commended the sponsors for what he described as a timely and necessary intervention.

He recalled that a similar motion had been raised in the 9th Assembly, showing that the problem has persisted for too long.

Ogundoyin acknowledged that many processors resort to roadside drying out of necessity, not neglect, but insisted that the government must now act to provide alternatives.

“We cannot continue to compromise public safety because of infrastructural gaps,” he said. “It’s time for a sustainable solution that supports our farmers while keeping our food safe.”


Credit: Westernmirror