By Our correspondent
The Anambra State government has announced plans to partner GasInvest Limited, a consultant company to Shell Nigerian Gas, to enhance the energy and gas sector in the state.
This collaboration aims to improve the state’s energy infrastructure and promote economic growth.
During a courtesy visit to the MD/CEO of Anambra State Solid Minerals Development Company Limited, Prof Charles Ofoegbu, the CEO of GasInvest Limited, Mr Michael Faniran, emphasized the need for data collection to drive the project forward.
The two leaders discussed the gas and power infrastructure master plan for Anambra State, focusing on the development of the state’s energy and gas master plan, current and projected demand, and demand locations.
Faniran stressed the importance of understanding the geographical dispersion of demand to develop optimal infrastructure.
He also highlighted the synergy between GasInvest Limited and Anambra State Solid Minerals, noting that the mining sector requires energy.
By understanding the location of mining sites, mineral resources, and processing plants, they can develop the sector and create demand centers for energy infrastructure.
In response, Ofoegbu revealed that Anambra State has numerous mining sites, with a new focus on downstream beneficiation to add value to the mining sector.
He cited the Kaolin Processing Plant at Ukpor, Nnewi South local government area, as a star project of Governor Soludo.
The plant, abandoned for many years, has been refurbished, and civil works are complete. The plan is to produce industrial-class kaolin and pharmaceutical-grade kaolin for medicinal purposes.
Ofoegbu also announced the establishment of a bentonite processing factory in Nteje, Oyi local government area, to harness the community’s huge bentonite deposits.
He expressed hope that the collaborative partnership between the two companies would propel the state’s energy sector to prominence.
