Malaysian firm invests $2.5 billion on bio-diesel production in Nigeria

Malaysian firm, Bionas, plans to establish a $2.5 billion factory for the mass production of bio-fuel from the Jatropha plants in Zaria, Kaduna State, Group CEO, Zurina Amnan said. 

Amnan, who disclosed this at press chat in Abuja, said alternative energy has become an international discourse, especially in mitigating global climate change and enhancing green economy. 

“We are in Nigeria to offer technological transfer and we hope to do so through train the trainers’ programmes in the universities. We need people to study the modern technology and export it,” she added. 

Amnan also hinted: “Jatropha Plantation would soon be set up, while processing machines would be installed at Zaria Factory in two months and launch. We don’t want to repeat the past mistake again.” 

To her, Malaysia would train 200,000 Nigerians for the project, especially graduates of science or engineering and to acquaint them with the latest energy technology for bio-fuel supply and distribution. 

She listed other incentives to include housing units, commercial clinic, schools, adding: “We are planning to build a new town for Jatropha project in Nigeria, as well as make Bionas seeds available to farmers. 

She further explained: “Jatropha plant could produce aviation fuel and sell at the same price with fossil fuel. Every Nigerian would cultivate the crop, sell the seedlings for export. Our Nigerian partners are ready for the takeoff of the project.”
 
Amnan, disclosed that Bionas operates in 52 countries and are prepared to invest in Nigeria, having signed agreement with the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria to sustain the project.