Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Vice President Kashim Shettima has initiated talks with Swedish automobile giant, Scania Group, to explore biofuel solutions for Nigeria’s transport sector, with plans to revolutionise the country’s transportation infrastructure following fuel subsidy removal.
During his visit to Scania’s headquarters in Södertälje, Sweden, Shettima emphasised the need for innovative solutions to address Nigeria’s transportation challenges.
The Vice President described his tour of Scania as a strategic engagement to discuss Nigeria’s market potential and explore deeper collaboration opportunities.
According to him, in exploring biofuel solutions for Nigeria’s transport sector, all options must be on the table to address Nigeria’s transportation challenges.
He said: “This aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s push for cleaner and more efficient transportation, especially considering the recent emphasis on Compressed Natural Gas, CNG.
“All options must be on the table to address Nigeria’s transportation challenges. We are looking at all available options to improve our transportation sector. Biofuel is a viable alternative, and we believe Scania’s expertise can help us achieve our goals.”
The Vice President, who was received by Mr. Fredrik Wijkander of the Scania Group, also held discussions that would contribute to innovative solutions to ease Nigeria’s transportation challenges.
The Vice President’s visit to Sweden also included a meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, where they discussed strengthening bilateral relations, trade expansion, and strategic partnerships.
On behalf of Nigeria, the Vice President led other Nigerian officials to sign a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU between Nigeria and telecom giant, Ericsson, on a 5G Innovation Lab.
The deal is aimed at placing Nigeria among the world’s top users of the 5G network in terms of productivity and boosting Nigeria’s technological capabilities.
Vice President Shettima, while being briefed on the company’s technological evolution, radio spectrum matters, standardisation, as well as Cyber and Network Security, inquired about the possibility of deploying 5G technology to help Nigeria improve security of oil facilities, prevent oil theft, and pipeline vandalization.
Senator Shettima noted that it was crucial for management and planning of the nation’s oil economy.
Outlining the importance of the MoU, Minister for Communications, Dr. Bosun Tijani, expressed optimism that Nigeria will make the most of 5G technology as its wide coverage will lead to rapid development and growth of the Nigerian economy.
The Minister said, “It is important that we use the strength of the VP’s visit to truly deepen the relationship with some of our tech partners, and that is what the VP is doing in all the meetings he has had.
“So we signed the MoU to set up an Innovation Lab with Ericsson, and the focus of that Lab will be to come up with applications based on 5G technology for our projects and practices in agriculture, mining, education, as well as for the general usage of connectivity to improve the quality of life for our people.
“Again, the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda, in particular, ties into what we are trying to do with the reforms. The aim of the reforms is to diversify our economy, and it is clear that we cannot diversify our economy without digital technology.”
