By: Danjuma Attah, Gombe
Gombe State Government has entered into talks with Global Biofuels Limited towards improving sorghum farming, addressing unemployment, youth restiveness and development.
It is also expected that apart from the partnership on the sorghum farming which will generate electricity through ethanol, concerted efforts will be made towards improving on the general well being of the people in the state through the project.
Global Biofuels Limited is a global company renown for application of digital technology in changing the narratives of underdevelopment by addressing perennial problems that has bedeviled humanity.
It was during the meeting between management of the company and the Gombe State Government where the Deputy Governor, Manasseh Daniel Jatau, represented Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, that the contents of the engagement were made clear to both parties.
The Deputy Governor said the development was coming at the right time when the Administration is working hard to ensure industrialisation with a view to providing job opportunities for the teaming youths for improved revenue generation and the general standard of lives of the people.
He assured the team of the State Government’s desire to partner with them in modern sorghum farming by providing the needed support and discussing with the land owners to see the importance of allowing the use of their lands which will be paid for.
The Deputy Governor added that the Governor has made things easier for Investment and investors by providing water and a dedicated line for electricity from the Dadin-Kowa dam to the industrial park and other necessary incentives to woo investors into the state.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Vice Chairman, Global Biofuels Limited, Dr. Felix Obada told the Deputy Governor that they were in the state to seek collaboration with the Government in the area of modern sorghum farming so as to tap from its numerous benefits of producing ethanol for electricity, grains for food security and massive job opportunities for the teaming youths in the state.
He noted that sorghum as a crop is native to Nigeria, especially in the north where the stem contains over 27 % sugar content for ethanol and the leaves used for animal feeds while the grains are used as food.
Dr. Felix said the company will need about 5,000 hectares for production of the crop in the state adding that it will provide about five million direct jobs and over two million indirect jobs.
He appealed to the state Government to assist them in getting the land for the project stressing that all land owners whose lands will be used shall be shareholders in the company to make them own the project and to avoid frictions and sabotage which happens in some places between companies and host communities.
At the meeting were Commissioners of Finance, Alhaji Mohammad Gambo Magaji, Energy and Minerals Resources, Alhaji Sanusi Ahmad Pindiga, Water Resources Alhaji Mohammed Saidu Fawu and Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Dr. Barnabas Malle.
