The Federal Government’s green industrialization plan has received a boost with the arrival of a strong team from China to finalise areas of collaboration.
The Chinese team is led by the Deputy Division Chief, Foreign Environmental Cooperation Centre, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Wang Zuguang who is in the country to meet with stakeholders on the modalities for the commencement of planned renewable energy project between Nigeria and China.
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.
He noted that China is supporting Nigeria and other African countries with the uptake of renewable energy and other sustainability-linked projects to support industrial growth, adding that: “The MOU was signed in Baku at the sideline of COP29, and now the Chinese delegation are here to visit with the Honourable Minister of Environment to brief him on the progress of the project and what their wider ambition is in line with Nigeria’s own development ambitions.
“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 as 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 place 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.
“And therefore, the model that we built in Lekki will be replicated across the other industrial sectors of the country.”
On the delegation are officers from the Ministry of Environment in China and members from the academic, from universities as well, research and development.
