The World Bank has donated a generating plant and a standard laboratory to the Nigeria National Research Institute for Chemical Technology (NARICT) in Zaria, Kaduna State, in Northern Nigeria to boost the institute’s bio-diesel and renewable fuel research programs.
Biodiesel, which is usually made from vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled greases, can be used as fuel for vehicles or generating plants in its pure form.
It is normally used as a diesel additive to reduce levels of particles, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons from diesel-powered vehicles.
First-generation biofuels’ are made from sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats using conventional technology.
The Director General of NARICT, Dr Emmanuel Okwokwo, however, said on Thursday in Abuja that the Institute had recorded a breakthrough in its bio-diesel research programs.
“We have successfully developed the bio-diesel technology using Jatropha, rubber seed, neem seed or any form of vegetable oil as main raw materials for production.
“We have also made some impact such that the World Bank has even come to recognize what we are doing like the bio-diesel program. They donated a generating plant which we are using to test the oil (raw materials).
“The Bank also sponsored the establishment of a standard laboratory for the production of school chemicals for secondary schools and tertiary institutions,” he said.
Okwokwo, who noted that countries such as India and Brazil had gone far in the production of bio-diesel as an alternative source of fuel, said that the Institute was trying to domesticate the technology.
He then disclosed that the institute had established organic fertilizer plants in Katsina, Kebbi, Anambra, Kogi and Oyo states using the its own neem-based technologies.
“Since 2004, NARICT has made a lot of advances in the exploitation of the potentials of the neem seed.
“We have been able to develop technologies for the production of organic fertilizer from the seed,” he added.
He said that the fertilizer plant in Katsina State, which had also commenced the production of organic pesticides, would soon be sold to a German company that indicated interest to take over the management of the company.
Source African Press Agency
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