The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has cultivated 2,675 hectares of cassava plantations for the processing of bioethanol in Kebbi state.
Kebbi state government committee on Biofuels revealed in a statement on Thursday through its Chairman, Prof. Mohammad Ka’oje.
Ethanol is a biofuel processed from starchy crops like Maize and Cassava and can be used as biofuel mainly in Brazil and the United States.
READ MORE: NNPC releases audited financial statements, refineries record losses of N154 billion
In 2017, NNPC signed an MoU with Kebbi state to cultivate 20,000 hectares of cassava and sugarcane in the Kanya district of Zuru emirate of Kebbi for biofuel production.
Ka’oje announced the scheme is a joint project between Kebbi State and NNPC which was jointly financed to the tune of N500 Million each, and 5,000 hectares of land was acquired for biofuel production.
(READ MORE: NNPC quells fears over leaking Lagos pipeline)
He added that the state government was required to provide up to 20,000 hectares for the scheme with NNPC for cassava and sugarcane, while the NNPC handles the other productions.
“I wish to seize this opportunity to report to you that KBSG has met all its obligations under the MOU.
“In addition, it was agreed at a joint meeting of the partners that the state government should cultivate 5,000 hectares of cassava which will also form additional equity share for the state.
READ ALSO: NNPC states why it failed to fix refineries, to build 200,000 capacity refinery
“So far, 2,675 hectares have been cultivated and fully established. This is for the purpose of generating seedlings and raw material for a test run of the machinery,” he said.
He added that the NNPC would handle the land validation, feasibility studies, and soil testing and also interact with the necessary stakeholders to handle the project.
Step in the right direction toward diversifying the economy.
may Allah give us ending