From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The Niger State government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd have signed a Green Economy and Energy Development partnership agreement.
The agreement, which is coming on the heels of the Green Economy Summit organised by the Governor Umar Bago administration, is expected to lead to the development of four unique projects in the state.
The pact, according to a statement from the Governor’s media office, and made available to journalists, on Wednesday, in Abuja, the projects include a Greenfield Hydroelectric power project.
Others include “Mega Solar parks in institutions and home solar system for 250,000 households out of the 800, 000 households in Niger state,500 million litres 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.’
Also, the NNPC is expected “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.”
On the other hand, the Niger State government “committed to planting 1 billion trees on 1 million hectares of land over the next 8 years. “
The statement added that “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.”