A tripartite agreement for the take- off of the Ethanol Bio-fuel production from Cassava has been signed.
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 shares while the core investor a private firm , 3D has majority shareholding of Seventy percent.
The Kebbi State Deputy Governor, retired Colonel Samaila Yombe Dabai who signed the agreement on behalf of Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu in Abuja announced this at Press briefing in the Conference Hall of Cabinet office, Birnin Kebbi, this Wednesday.
He said Danko Wasagu has been selected for the Bio fuel refinery in view of the suitability of the soill in the area.
Yombe said the company would mobilize to site next week and that Professor Abubakar Muhammad Kaoje who was appointed as Coordinator of the venture has already visited India to inspect the choice of equipment for the Ethanol Production.
He expressed gratitude about the multitude of benefits associated with the project to the State , describing it as the first of its kind in Northern Nigeria capable of emptying over 5000 people.
The Deputy Governor of the state retired Col. Sama’ila Yombe said that the project was part of Bagudu’s commitment to industrialize the state.
Yombe recalled that the project that was initiated five years ago had its agreement signed two days ago in Abuja.
Yombe said that the project would boost trade and commerce , as well as bolster the revenue generation of the state and Nigeria, in general .
He stated that the signing of the agreement signaled the actualization of the project.
Also speaking at the press briefing, Prof. Abubakar Kaoje, the Coordinator of the Kebbi State Ethanol Bio fuel project says it will provide no fewer than 5,000 new jobs.
The former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Prof. Abubakar Mohammed Kaoje spoke on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi at a press conference to inform the general public of the signing of agreement and handing over of the project to the Kebbi State Investments Company, handlers of all the investments of the state government.
This was sequel to the signing of the project’s agreement among the NNPC Ltd, Kebbi State Government and a private company, 3D .
The University don said:”This all-important project will bring unprecedented dividends of democracy to the people of the state.”
According to Prof. Kaoje, there will also be myriad of corporate social responsibility projects to be executed courtesy of the project
He listed them to include provision of primary schools, hospitals and power supply to the various communities in the Zuru Emirate and Danko Wasagu Local Government.
Kaoje added that there would also be an array of other CSR projects to be executed in the area.
He said,”the core investor has an emotional attachment to Zuru and he will soon swing into action by mobilizing to the site.
“The Bio-fuel will be produced from cassava and we have to make sure that the soil there is capable of sustaining production.
“We are happy to report that the Gwazawa cassava farm is fully operational and it is supporting cassava production across the state.”
Kaoje further said that there will be some bye-products like CO2 being used in fire extinguishers and the production of carbonated drinks.
Similarly, there will be the production of both industrial and pharmaceutical grade starch.
“The company will also be self sustaining in power supply as it will operate independently of the national grid.
“It will even complement the national grid by supplying power to some of the host communities,” the Coordinator added.
He acknowledged the uncommon commitment of Gov. Abubakar Bagudu to the project, recalling that he met all the obligations of the state government to the project since four years ago.
Kaoje also said that the state government has since then constructed the Kanya-Gwazawa bridge, a project was being yearned for by the communities since 1979.
“The state government has been most prudent, most responsible and most supportive .
“The project will cover an initial 30 years on 15,000 hectares and we are happy to be part of it.
“We are happy for rendering this community service and we are always ready to do so anytime we are called upon,”he added.
The Acting Managing Director of Kebbi Investment Company, Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim Waziri attended the briefing.
