The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kebbi State Government to build an 84mn litres per annum capacity fuel-ethanol project
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr Maikanti Baru, group managing director of NNPC, said that the MoU is expected to commence the practical implementation of the NNPC Fuel-Ethanol Projects in Kalgo and Koko Besse local government areas of Kebbi State.
He stated this is in line with the Muhammadu Buhari’s, the president of Nigeria, aims to diversify the economy with a view to saving the country from the uncertainties of absolute dependence on oil.
According to him, the Sugarcane and Cassava-Fuel Ethanol Project in Kebbi State are expected to involve the development of 20,000 ha of an integrated plantation and plant complex.
The project is expected to have benefits including creation of rural wealth, generation of 1,000,000 direct and indirect jobs, co-generation of about 64MW of bio-electricity to power the plant and lighten up the surrounding communities. The project will further focus on reducing the emissions of greenhouse gas and producing refined sugar and industrial starch as well as animal feeds.
“The signing of the MoU between KBSG and NNPC will open the way to the Federal Government’s Economic diversification drive. Also, it is hoped that this event will send a clear message to other State Governments who are yet to come on board in the new agro-allied industrial revolution,” Baru averred.
He further added that the potentials for biofuels in the country is enormous, noting that the NNPC intends to offer opportunity for investment in the project by citizens of the State.
Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, governor of Kebbi State, said that the energy sector is evolving in the state. He noted, “The GMD and top management of the NNPC, we in Kebbi State will do our utmost best to make sure that the objective of the biofuel project is realised.”
