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| You are here: | Comments and remarks to Wim Jonker Klunne |
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UK-based global producer of biodiesel from renewable energy crops D1 Oil's African subsidiary D1 Oils Africa is on the verge of rolling out projects in Africa to help combat the high oil price. CEO Demetri Pappadopoulos comments: “For the past two years we have been working with Governments in conducting exploratory studies in a number of African countries. “We are now beginning to roll-out projects which will result in cultivating oil bearing crops as a sustainable source for the betterment of the African continent.” In Zambia, D1 is to undertake the planting of 15 000 hectares of jatropha curcas, its primary biodiesel feedstock. This is to be done in cooperation with the Zambian government and the Kachumu Community Development Network (KCDN) - Triangular Farming Block, a government funded initiative to encourage rural development in Northern Zambia. Additionally, it will be setting up a refinery to produce diesel from the seed, this will not only create employment and bring economic empowerment in the area, but will also go a long way to alleviating the fuel problem in the country. This is a pilot project, which forms part of the Spatial Development Approach for Zambia and will be replicated in other provinces following its success. Further to its involvement in the project, the Zambian Government has appointed D1 Oils Africa as its partner in developing a policy on biodiesel. To this end a task force incorporating all stakeholders from relevant government ministries and representatives from D1 Oils Africa has been formed. Welcoming the partnership, Xambian Deputy President Lupando Mwape commented, “D1 Oil Africa's partnership with the government supported Kachumu Community Development Network Trust to develop a renewable energy industry will be one of the defining moments in our Nation's future. It will create much needed employment and economic upliftment opportunities whilst reducing atmospheric pollution and our reliance on imported fuels.” Separately, in Swaziland His Majesty, King Mswati III, has endorsed the Biodiesel Project undertaken by the firm in line with the objectives of the Job Creation Summit 2005, and through the Ministry of Enterprise and Employment supports its implementation. To date, through the Swaziland Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA), 5 000 hectares have been earmarked for the planting of jatropha by the rural farming community. This will not only supply D1 with their harvest, but will allow farmers to earn much valued cash from their underutilised land. Additionally, the government agency, Swaziland Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise, is facilitating the involvement of farmers in the Lubombo and Komati areas, for the growing of jatropha in about 1 000 hectares of farm land, which is currently being planted. Three nurseries, in Matsapha, Croydon and eZulwini, have already been established to satisfy the demand for the millions of seedlings required for planting. “We are now beginning to roll-out projects which will result in cultivating oil bearing crops as a sustainable source for the betterment of the African continent.” In Zambia, D1 is to undertake the planting of 15 000 hectares of jatropha curcas, its primary biodiesel feedstock. This is to be done in cooperation with the Zambian government and the Kachumu Community Development Network (KCDN) - Triangular Farming Block, a government funded initiative to encourage rural development in Northern Zambia. Additionally, it will be setting up a refinery to produce diesel from the seed, this will not only create employment and bring economic empowerment in the area, but will also go a long way to alleviating the fuel problem in the country. This is a pilot project, which forms part of the Spatial Development Approach for Zambia and will be replicated in other provinces following its success. Further to its involvement in the project, the Zambian Government has appointed D1 Oils Africa as its partner in developing a policy on biodiesel. To this end a task force incorporating all stakeholders from relevant government ministries and representatives from D1 Oils Africa has been formed. Welcoming the partnership, Xambian Deputy President Lupando Mwape commented, “D1 Oil Africa's partnership with the government supported Kachumu Community Development Network Trust to develop a renewable energy industry will be one of the defining moments in our Nation's future. It will create much needed employment and economic upliftment opportunities whilst reducing atmospheric pollution and our reliance on imported fuels.” Separately, in Swaziland His Majesty, King Mswati III, has endorsed the Biodiesel Project undertaken by the firm in line with the objectives of the Job Creation Summit 2005, and through the Ministry of Enterprise and Employment supports its implementation. To date, through the Swaziland Investment Promotion Authority (SIPA), 5 000 hectares have been earmarked for the planting of jatropha by the rural farming community. This will not only supply D1 with their harvest, but will allow farmers to earn much valued cash from their underutilised land. Additionally, the government agency, Swaziland Water and Agricultural Development Enterprise, is facilitating the involvement of farmers in the Lubombo and Komati areas, for the growing of jatropha in about 1 000 hectares of farm land, which is currently being planted. Three nurseries, in Matsapha, Croydon and eZulwini, have already been established to satisfy the demand for the millions of seedlings required for planting. Additional information: News date: 11/11/2005 |
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