Bio-fuel industry can make Nigerians economically self-reliant -PPPRA

Abdulkadir Saidu, the Executive Secretary, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) on Wednesday said the bio-fuel sector had the potential to make Nigerians economically self-reliant.

Bio-fuels are fuels produced directly or indirectly from organic materials including plant materials and animal waste.

Saidu said this at the annual conference of Women in Cleantech and Eco-Innovation Initiative (WCE) in Abuja.

The theme of the conference is “Enhancing Women Engagement in Domestic Bio-fuels Industry at all Levels for Sustainable Development”.

Saidu, represented by Mr Agbuje Olasupo, the General Manager, Gas and Renewable Energy said the bio-fuel industry was beneficial to all as it was domestic product-based.

“Bio-fuel is a key part of the future in terms of energy.

“It is unique because it feeds off domestic production; so the issue of importation of products is significantly.

“It is a marriage between the petroleum industry and the agriculture industry; we have farmers engaged, our land is engaged and employment is generated,” he said.

Saidu said that deploying women in the bio-fuel industry was important; adding that women were more involved in the agricultural sector which would enhance the production of bio-fuel.

“The percentage of women involved in agriculture in Nigeria is of significant percentage.

“In the rural areas, a lot of women are involved in small scale farming and bio-fuel production is significantly based on seedlings and farming.

“Women have a role to play because they do a lot in cultivation of crops,” he said.

Mrs Grace Udounwa-Ogolo, the Chief Executive Officer of WCE said that bio-fuel was being used as an alternative for hydrocarbon fuel.

According to Udounwa-Ogolo, the sector has the potential to transform the economy, the environment and contribute to food security and rural development.

“Bio-fuels have emerged as suitable alternative to hydrocarbon fuel due to their foreseen potential of being a future energy resource.

“The sector provides huge opportunities for economic, environmental and social transformation, which could contribute to food security, modern energy access, rural development and women empowerment,” she said.

She said that the role of women in the bio-fuel sector was pivotal because of their engagement in small scale farming and their role in the home.

“It is necessary to empower women in the bio-fuel sector because of the fact that they are responsible for securing energy at the household level and their income is invested more in the home.”

Ugounwa-Ogolo said that women had a major role in the clean energy sector, in spite the huge number of men in the sector.

“Most jobs in the renewable energy sector are handled by men, but there is huge potential for women to play an even bigger role in this growing sector.

“Women, who make up 70 per cent of the world’s 1.3 billion people in extreme poverty can benefit from the projected 16.7 million jobs in the renewable energy sector by 2030,” she said.

Mr Joseph Dioha, the Director, Renewable Energy, Energy Commission of Nigeria said that energy supply in the country was grossly inadequate.

Dioha, however, said that efforts were on ground to develop the bio-fuel policy by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and other stakeholders to improve the sector. (NAN)