Nigerian oil-based sponsorship fund to promote biofuels

A Nigerian sponsorship group for oil-based projects pledged its commitment to sponsor more research on the production of biofuels and biogas from non-edible fruits, in response to focus on non-fossil fuel sources.

Local website Vangaurd.com reported that the Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) made the commitment on 17 August, 2016.

Acting Executive Secretary of PTDF, Ahmed Galadima, disclosed this at Peer Review programme for the 2014/2015 cycle on annual oil and gas research grant competition. He explained that efforts were in top gear to have biofuels production on a commercial scale in the next research cycle, according to Vanguard.

He said:  “Resources have been committed in this area as this as proved to be the appropriate solution to the challenges of the industry, and am glad to inform you that the result has been positive and encouraging, although more work needs to be done.

“We are determined to improve on our previous achievements as adequate mechanisms have been put in place for the award of the 2015/2016 research grant. These researches are commercially viable and good candidates for patenting.”