ABU, Zaria Establishes Mini Refinery, Car‎ -VC

ABU, Zaria Establishes Mini Refinery, Car‎ -VC

By ALEX UANGBAOJE

As part of efforts to cushion the difficulties being faced in the country by incessant shortage of petroleum products, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria ‎has established a Mini Refinery.

image

‎The prototype refinery when fully equipped and functional can assist the government in contributing to the refining of petroleum products in the country. 

‎This was unveiled yesterday in Zaria by The Vice Chancellor of the University, ‎Professor Ibrahim Garba‎ when speaking with newsmen during a pre-briefing of the ABU 38th Convocation Ceremony which comes up on 29th and 30th January 2016.

According to the VC, the refinery is built to function at one barrel per day production capacity as a model which can be developed to function in higher capacity. 

“Our Chemical department has established a Mini Refinery that can produce relatively small quantity of petroleum, and that process has gone far.

“Related to that, there is a sponsored research by Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), to develop some kinds of material called Zeolite.

“It is a mineral component that is used in the refining of petroleum to create Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), Diesel, Kerosene and other petroleum products from crude oil.

“It will interest you to know that Nigeria imports that material with a lot of billions of dollars, for our refineries that are even working in half ‎capacity.

“So we are challenged with that project and so far the University has succeeded in developing a locally produced zeolite from locally sourced choline material 

“This has received already a parted certificate from the federal government of Nigeria, and PTDF have the property right and the project is going into the next development of testing ‎an testing again to international standard.” He explained. 

Professor Garba also revealed that the mechanical engineering department has produced a prototype car which has even won an award in South Africa and Neitherlands‎

The VC also disclosed that business mogul Alhaji Aliko Dangote will deliver the 38th convocation lecture on Friday at the Samaru main campus of the varsity, adding that Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II will chair the occasion.

He added that 13,149 students will be convocated while 4,598 post Graduate students will get higher degrees. Garba said no honorary doctorate degree will be awarded this year.

The Vice Chancellor also said that the University will be graduating students of the 2014/2015 and, 2015 /2016 academic sessions.

Professor Garba who justified the choice of Dangote as Guest Lecturer, said that his success as Africa’s richest man and a great entrepreneur is not an accident, adding that Dangote should come and share the secret of his success.

He identified lack of students accomodation as the biggest challenge finding the University, adding that out of 40,000 students, ABU can only accomodate 11,000.

Newsweb

At Newsweb Express we don't only break the news, we are committed to investigative and developmental journalism

You may also like...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *