In the face of Nigeria’s economic downturn occasioned by fall in the price of crude oil in the international market, federal government is pushing for diversification of its oil energy mix to reduce dependence on fossil fuel and imported petroleum products as well as up its foreign exchange.
Nigeria has over the years depended on fossil fuel as its source of energy and revenue, leaving out other sources.
Ibe Kachikwu, minister of state for petroleum resources speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the sensitisation workshop on biofuels development in Nigeria with the theme : Biofuels: nigeria’s new economy, organised by the Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) said, going by the dwindling price of oil, and the activities of vandals in the Niger Delta, it was imperative to explore alternative energy and revenue sources.
“I believe biofuel will soon become our foreign exchange earner, if we can put our minds and might into it. We can produce crude and fire gas but, ultimately, the only way to sustainably reach every nook and cranny and every citizen of our country with some level of energy supply, is to look towards natural resources such as solar, wind, water resources and biofuel”, he stressed.
Represented by Tim Okon, a director in the ministry, the minister further explained that the renewable energy development initiative is designed, to leverage on the nation’s immense agricultural potentials, in order to create a synergy with petroleum sector, by developing a biomass-based fuel economy for Nigeria.
According to Kachikwu, research has confirmed the reliability and acceptability of biofuels as a more environmentally-friendly option when compared with premium motor spirit (PMS).
“Biofuel is bound to make the country develop a low carbon economy and gradually reduce environmental pollution associated with fossil fuels so as to achieve our country’s commitment to global agreements under the Intended National Determined Contribution (INDC) projects, while at the same time create commercially viable and sustainable agro-industrial cluster across the country. It will equally provide the enabling environment for biomass co-generation of electric power and Great Green Wall (GGW) programmes may be practiced for the good of all Nigerians”, he added.
Speaking on the topic, Biofuels: Nigeria’s new reality, Mohammed M Ibrahim, an energy expert said: “Renewable energy development in general and biofuel promotion in particular has the tendency to alter our national economy in a fundamental and sustainable manner.
“Biofuel production could be a catalyst for the commercialization and industrialization of Nigeria’s current subsistence agricultural and agro allied industry”.
According to the energy expert, this will provide an opportunity for Nigeria to enter the growing global biofuel export market and improve her balance of trade with other nations.
Biofuels can be used (in addition as fuels) for other secondary uses such as: metal working lubricant producing hydrogen for fuel-cell vehicles, industrial solvent for metal cleaning, he explained.
Earlier in a welcome address, the executive secretary of PPRA, Victor Shidok says Nigeria could not afford to be left behind in ensuring the development of commercialisation of biofuels as an alternative energy source at the time of gradual depletion of hydro-carbon base.
He said, with the dissatisfaction of stakeholders with the existing gazette on biofuel policy which is import dependent and import driven which was rejected, a policy review which is now on-going and coordinated by the PPPRA was birthed.
Shidok assured that inputs from stakeholders is captured in the new policy which will drive agricultural activities, create enormous jobs opportunities and contribute to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.
