[Nigeria] NNPC, Benue Renew Partnership on Ethanol Project

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Benue State Government (BNSG) have pledged to deepen their collaboration on the Ethanol project which is geared towards production of biofuels for energy sufficiency.

The Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Dr. Maikaniti Baru made this known while receiving a delegation from the Benue State Government at the NNPC Towers in Abuja.

Dr. Baru noted that ethanol when blended with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol ensures excellent performance of vehicles, stressing that energy sufficiency and proficiency were part of the cardinal objectives of the NNPC.

The NNPC GMD revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari has also directed the Corporation to commence hydrocarbon exploratory activities in the Benue Trough as part of efforts to guarantee energy security of the country.

Earlier, the leader of the Benue State delegation, Chief Terwase Orbunde, commended the NNPC for resolving the recent fuel supply challenges and pledged the readiness of the state government to support the quick take off of the Ethanol project, adding that the project would generate jobs for Nigerians.

Chief Orbunde assured the NNPC of full support and cooperation from the State Government and the host communities, stressing that the State Government fully identifies itself with the energy policy of the Federal Government.

NNPC initiated a renewable energy programme in August 2005 which is in conformity with the Kyoto Protocol agreement to which Nigeria is a signatory.

The primary aim of the programme is to link the agricultural sector with the Oil and Gas Industry. It is also aimed at gradually reducing the nation’s dependence on imported gasoline, reducing environmental pollution as a result of consumption of wholesale fossil fuel as well as creating a commercially viable industry that can boast of sustainable domestic jobs.

A similar programme in Brazil has a thriving biofuels industry providing quantum economic benefits including creation of hundreds of thousands of employment opportunities for nationals of that country.

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