By Abimbola Ogunnaike
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of The Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria as the Lead Arranger and Developer of Evergreen City, Nigeria’s green industrial zone.
According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity), Ajuri Ngelale, on Sunday, 19 May, 2024, the appointment was in line with the President’s “commitment to ensuring industrial development that meets the demands of the present and the future”
The statement listed the terms of reference for the green industrial zone to include :
“Selection of partners/consultants to undertake critical development activities, including project design, environmental impact assessments, feasibility studies, financial modelling, and market engagement.
“Raising private funding for the development of the city and constituent projects.
“Coordinating with partners, development institutions, and other providers of capital and technical assistance.
“Raising private funding for the development of the city and constituent projects.
“Coordinating with partners, development institutions, and other providers of capital and technical assistance.
“Reporting to the Supervisory Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen”
Tinubu also approved the establishment of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen which will serve as the supervisory technical working group, to oversee the pioneering endeavour.
The committee comprise of the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action – Chairman; Lolade Abiola (UN SE4ALL) – Secretary; Lazarus Angbazo (CEO, InfraCorp) – Member; Salisu Dahiru (CEO, NCCC) – Member; Aminu Umar-Sadiq (CEO, NSIA) – Member; Khalil Halilu (CEO, NASENI) – Member; Abba Abubabkar Aliyu (CEO, REA) – Member; Fatima Shinkafi (CEO, SMDF) – Member; Uzoma Nwagba (CEO, CrediCorp) – Member; Bala Bello (Deputy Governor, CBN) – Member and Teni Majekodunmi (NCCC) – Member
Others are: Nana Maidugu (NSIA) – Member; Michael Ivenso (NCCC) – Member; Suleiman Yusuf (Blue Camel Energy) – Member and Chidi Ajaere (Jet EV) – Member.
The statement concluded that “the President expects absolute dedication and professionalism to drive this critical project with the clear objective of making Nigeria the leading manufacturing hub in Africa for renewable energy technologies, green solutions, and climate-adaptation technologies for the maximum benefit of Nigerians and Africans at large.”
