The ethanol production project planned for Kebbi State by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) will create over one million new jobs when it takes off. A management staff of the NNPC, Mr.Talson Bege who led other officials of the oil company to the Government House in Birnin Kebbi, made the assertion to journalists shortly after meeting with Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, explaining that the project was private-sector driven.
He said his delegation had visited some sugarcane producing communities in Kebbi State such as Kola, Raha, Zuru, and Bagudo to engage farmers on the project.
He explained that the project was a tripartite venture, as private investors and the Kebbi State Government would provide finance and the land and NNPC would have 30% of its equity holding.“The project will start in 18 months’ time. It will boost agriculture because of the extraction of ethanol from sugarcane as fuel for cars,” he said.
In his response, Governor Bagudu expressed delight over the project, saying the choice of Kebbi by the NNPC for the project was right because almost all the 21local government areas of the state grow sugar cane which is a major source of ethanol.
