NNPC Signs Green Economy Development Agreement With Niger State Government
By: Gloria Essien, Abuja
The Niger state Government Green Economy Summit initiative just held, has attracted international investors led by NNPC Ltd to sign a first of its kind Green Economy and Energy Development Partnership agreement for the development of 4 unique projects.
The projects are ” A Greenfield Hydroelectric power project
Mega Solar parks in institutions and home solar system for 250,000 households out of the 800, 000 households in Niger state. 500 million liters Ethanol Plant with associated cropping of Maize /Sugarcane/Sweet Sorghum on 100,000 hectares of land in Niger state to produce over 500,000 tons of crops to feed the ethanol plant, and the NNPC plans to plant 135 million trees on 100,000 hectares of land as part of its commitment to climate protection and carbon sequestration towards its 2030 net zero targets”.
The Governor of Niger state, Mr Umaru Bago’s, said he is committed to planting 1 billion trees on 1 million hectares of land over the next 8 years.
“This plan has already gotten the commitment of NNPC which is the largest oil and Gas company in Africa.
Niger state hopes to Partner with other global oil and Gas, Shipping, Airlines, Cement companies, and the United Nations and its agencies in achieving the 1 billion trees target”. Mr Bago’s said.
Similarly, Governor Umaru Bago’s intervention has restored Minna Airport’s runway to its rightful position as Nigeria’s longest and the best.
Furthermore, the airport is gearing up for 2024 Hajj operations. The airport is now operational, hosting chartered flights, including Boeing 747 landings.
Additionally, it has been commissioned as the strategic surveillance base for the Nigerian Air Force.
The Chief of Air Staff visited the airport and expressed satisfaction with the work done on the runway.
The Governor has also instructed the completion of the airport terminal.
“Even though the project is owned by the federal government and was awarded for reconstruction in 2014, it has long been abandoned. State government has reached an agreement with FAAN to take over the project. Once the terminal is completed, the airport will be used for the 2024 Hajj operations. The days of flying our pilgrims from Abuja have certainly ended”. He said.
Olusola Akintonde