The Federal Government’s green industrialisation plan has received a boost with the arrival of a strong team from China to finalise areas of collaboration.
The team which has paid a visit to the Ministries of Environment; Science and Technology is foremost interested in the smooth operation of the Lekki Low-Carbon Demonstration Zone Initiative, which serves as the pilot project in the country.
Speaking on the visit, the Director, Energy, Transportation and Infrastructure at the National Council on Climate Change, Michael Ivenso said it was the outcome of the MOU that was signed between the government of Nigeria and the government of China, specifically the Federal Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Environment in China, to enhance the South-South cooperation under this China-Africa Solar Belt Initiative.
“You know, Mr President has eloquently articulated his programme for green industrialisation, and this is part of what the ministry is doing to support Mr President’s agenda for Nigeria, meaning the transition from a petrol state to a lot more sustainably linked and connected country is really what we are here about.
He revealed that since the signing of the MOU in Baku, both countries have set up a technical team that are currently working together jointly to develop what looks like the design for what the project is going to look like. He said: “The Lekki Free Trade Zone in Lagos has been chosen as the pilot site to create a replicable model that can be scaled up to other trade zones and industrial clusters in the country.
“The idea is that the lessons learned from Lekki will now be transferred, because as you know, it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Yes, we understand that China is well advanced in this area, but what works for them may not be what works for us. So it’s going to be a fit-for-purpose approach, taking into consideration Nigeria’s own peculiar needs and requirements.”
Ivenso said: “And so the study, which is part of why they’re here, is really to scope on ground what is available, what are our policy initiatives, and what really is driving our ambitions as a country. And so that project is already on its way. A number of meetings have been held.
“Prior to now, a team of Nigerian participants from the Ministry of Environment and the National Council on Climate Change were actually in China on the sidelines of FOCAC to interact with our counterparts to really see how we can bring this to life. Now it’s their turn to come and visit with us to see the site. So from Abuja, we’re going to go to Lagos.
“We’re going to Lagos State Government as well and the management of the Lekki Free Trade Zone on how to advance this.”
On why the Ministry of Science and Technology is among the places to be visited by the Chinese delegation, Ivenso said: “The reason why that collaboration with Science and Technology is important is the Abuja Industrial Zone that they are piloting. So it’s one of such examples to be able to showcase our counterparts in China that Nigeria is serious, right? And it’s just not Lagos. Other parts of the country are very well primed to receive this kind of intervention.
On the delegation are officers from the Ministry of Environment in China and members from the academic, from universities as well, research and development.
