NNPC Endorses First Biofuel Refinery in Nigeria
By Udeme Clement Ogbuanu, 02.26.2008
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), has endorsed the first Biofuel refinery in Nigeria, saying that the project would create employment for about 58,000 Nigerians in each participating state of the federation, 8,000 direct and 50,000 indirect employment.
The Group Managing Director, NNPC, Abubakar Yar'Adua, made this declaration through the Group General Manager, Engineer Sulaiman Achimagu, at the occasion of the official ground breaking ceremony for the Global Biofeul limited integrated ethanol processing facility in Arigidi, Okoko, Ondo State saying that the Biofuels industry is becoming a reality. Developed economist such as USA and Europe are stepping up their target usage of biofuel to significant and Nigeria must not be left out. "
The USA targets 130bn litres of ethanol for the USA by 2025, while the European Union has set guidelines that 10% of total motor fuel consumption by 2020 must be biofuels.
Many countries have active policies to develop their domestic biofuel production", he said.He said Federal Government of Nigeria introduced the biofuels initiative to harness the vast agricultural potentials of the nation for sustainable wealth creation, employment generation and energy security through renewable energy resource. Federal Govt in June 2007, approved and gazetted a national biofuels policy and incentives which provides the enabling ambience to sensitize them on opportunities in the biofuels industry. A follow up national workshop, that would involve a wider range of stakeholders is being planned. Second, feasibility studies have been completed for 5 bio-ethanol projects at specific location in the 3 States. 2 feasibility studies on Biodiesel are currently on-going. Discussions are being held with potential investors to implement this project. Third, the introduction of E10 which is 10% bio-ethanol with 90% fossil fuel into Nigerian market is at advance stage." NNPC would like to commend other investors to emulate Global Biofuels Limited and initiate biofuel projects in various part of Nigeria. The benefits of biofuels are enormous. A thriving biofuel industry would be a major contributor towards the realization of Yar’ Adua 7 point agenda for Nigeria through power generation, wealth creation and energy security.He said NNPC has created a Renewable Energy Division upon the mandate from Federal Government that the corporation spearhead the development of Biofuels Industry in Nigeria. " This division has recorded a number of notable achievements since its creation. First, workshops have been held with key stakeholders.Speaking at the occasion the GMD/CEO, Global Giofuels Limited, Dr Felix Babatunde Obada disclosed that 30,000 hectares of land have been acquired to actualize the present phase of the project in Ondo State. He added that work will commence with initial cultivation of 50hectares of land which will be upscaled to 300 hectares and increase over a short possible time while construction and installation of Ethanol Refinery and Life Camp will follow simultaneously. "The Refinery will be established in a total of 7 States of the Federation. We already discussing with other state governments for the project to be developed in their States. Our target is to produce approximately 1.5million litres of fuel ethanol per day", he maintained. He explained that the project is the first sweet sorghum biofuels refinery in Nigeria and is expected to produce fuel grade ethanol which would be utilized to blend fossil fuel for the purpose of reducing carbon emission into the atmosphere. It would also reduce depletion of ozone as well as stem global warming.
He maintained that the company is working with BankPHB to source for funds both within and from international agencies that had shown readiness to support the project.The project will enhance the living standard of Nigerians through wealth creation and poverty reduction. It would assist the country to achieve its E10 requirement of United Nations Kyoto agreement by 2010.
