Kebbi state government has signed a tripartite agreement with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPCL, for the take-off of Ethanol biofuel production from cassava.In a press release issued by the chief press secretary to the governor, Abubakar Mu’azu Dakingari, under the memorandum of understanding, MoU, Kebbi State through the Kebbi Investment Company is the host community with five percent shares, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, has twenty five percent share, while the core investor, a private firm, 3D, has the majority shareholding of seventy percent.
Kebbi State Deputy Governor, retired Colonel Sama’ila Yombe Dabai who signed the agreement on behalf of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu in Abuja, announced this at a news briefing at the Conference Hall, Cabinet Office, Birnin Kebbi, this Wednesday.
Retired colonel Yombe Dabai said Danko-Wasagu in Zuru emirate has been selected as the site for the biofuel refinery in consideration of the suitability of soil in the area for such energy project.
The deputy governor indicated that the company would mobilize to site next week, adding that Professor Abubakar Muhammad Ka’oje who was appointed as Coordinator of the venture by Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has already visited India to inspect the choice equipment for the ethanol production.
Retired Colonel Yombe Dabai expressed happiness about the multitude of benefits associated with such entrepreneurship, the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria, capable of employing five thousand personnel, improvement in commerce and as major source of revenue generation.
On behalf of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, the deputy governor congratulated Professor Abubakar Ka’oje and his team for their hardwork towards the actualization of the bio-feul programme, explaining that as a business enterprise, the project has been handed over to the Kebbi Investment Company for management.
In a remark, the Coordinator of the ethanol bio-fuel project, Professor Abubakar Muhammad Ka’oje, said since the initial MoU between Kebbi state and the NNPC five years ago, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu attached prominence to the project that led to the cultivation of cassava as raw material in Gwazawa, Danko-Wasagu local government.
He explained that the governor constructed the bridge between Kanya and Gwazawa to facilitate road transport between the communities and to portray the seriousness of the government to the actualization of the bio-fuel production.
Professor Ka’oje made it clear that the delay experienced in the commencement of the project was brought about by the impact of Covid-19 and that as business venture, the government took time to perfect business partnership which paved the way for the signing of an agreement with 3D company as the majority shareholder.
The Coordinator was glad that corporate social responsibilities enjoyable by people of the area from the company include schools, hospitals, electricity and basic amenities.
Professor Ka’oje announced that two thousand hectares of cassava would be cultivated for thirty years by the NNPCL in Gwazawa, Maiyama, Gwandu and Natsini.
He further explained that apart from bio-fuel, other bye-products to be derivable from the refinery include carbon dioxide for the production of fire extinguishers and as ingredient for carbonated drinks as well as starch for industrial purposes and pharmaceutical products.
The acting Managing Director of Kebbi Investment Company, Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim Waziri attended the news briefing.
