By Amos Aar
AN American based firm, Afri Decarbonization Company Ltd, is to establish a 100,000-hectare bamboo plantation in Benue State to serve as nursery bed for several industries that will spring up from it in the state.
A statement by Chief Press Secretary to Benue State Deputy Governor, Mr Ogaba Ede, indicates that Head of Sustainable TransEnvironment International Foundation, Mr John Ogbodo, made the development known Thursday at Government House, Makurdi when he led Ms Diana Doheny, Advisory board member, Afri Decarbonization Company Ltd, and her team on a courtesy call on Governor Samuel Ortom.
Mr Ogbodo disclosed that Afri Decarbonization Company Ltd is leading other partners in the bamboo project consortium including Goldman Sachs, and Smart Energy Decisions to promote the establishment of 450,000 hectares of bamboo plantations in West Africa.
Speaking, Ms Doheny expressed the interest of the consortium in embarking on the project as a means of enhancing sustainable bamboo value chain production and utilisation for enhanced livelihood and climate change mitigation in Africa.
Receiving the team, Governor Ortom, represented by his deputy, Engr Benson Abounu, assured the company of government’s support and partnership in their planned investment in the state.
He tasked them to carry out further discussions with relevant key officials of the state government to help facilitate the speedy establishment of the project in the state.
On the entourage were the Benue State Commissioner for Lands, Bernard Unenge, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Stephen Adah and a representative of the Minister for Environment.
