Alternative fuel project Nigeria Although Nigeria has one of the largest natural gas reserves in the world, development of its use in Africa's most populous country is just emerging. Currently, an enormous amount of natural gas is flared during crude oil production in Nigeria. It is estimated to be equivalent to the total annual power generation in sub-Saharan Africa.Local partner Borkir International Nig Ltd is involved in CNG related project developments, like the set-up of a network of CNG filling stations, and Dutch partner Prins Autogassystemen B.V. has successfully developed CNG fuel vehicle conversion technology. The partnership offers Prins Autogassystemen B.V. a unique opportunity to enter the alternative fuels market in Nigeria where companies are looking for options to reduce their spiralling fuel bills. The fact that Prins Autogassystemen B.V. will enter the market together with Borkir International Nig Ltd, who in addition will set up its own network of filling stations, should enable Prins Autogassystemen B.V. to establish market leadership.Prins' DieselBlend and Bi-Fuel technology will be made available to Nigeria through a joint venture conversion company (including calibration and service facilities) to convert diesel engines in trucks of fleet owners to running on a mix of Diesel and CNG. In future this business can also be expanded to the market of private car owners.The pilot comprises of a conversion and calibration centre in Lagos a service centre in Northern Nigeria and a service centre in Central Nigeria. It will create some 130 new jobs growing to almost 400, two years after the end of the project. Indirect job creation could be more than 1,000 as local supply to the joint venture gradually develops and also from expansion of the conversion network. The project will also have impact on the reduction in harmful pollutants and it contributes to a greener environment.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)Both partners are professional and serious enterprises which already have a formal CSR Policy written down. In the Netherlands Prins Autogassystemen B.V. is known for providing a sheltered workshop for handicapped persons.In addition the following Means of Verification (MoVs) will be included in the implementation schedule for this project:1. Realisation of the joint venture's CSR policy (CSR policy report; Anti-corruption policy; Anti-discrimination policy; Maternity & child care policy).2. Realisation of the joint venture's safety, health and emergency policy (Health & safety policy report; Health & safety manual; Emergency plan).3. Health care and HIV/AIDS programme.Impact•	Employment and working conditionsSee Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).•	Innovation / Transfer of knowledgeThe project introduces a complete new technology (DieselBlend) to Nigeria's trucking market. There are no fuel conversion centres yet in the country: The only substitute to CNG available in the market is LPG. However, only a handful of very small filling stations are available in the whole of Nigeria.•	Chain effects1. Local suppliers will be approached by the joint venture to supply parts for the conversion sets, they will gain experience in this field. Prins Autogassystemen B.V. uses a network of global suppliers for the production of their products that are marketed worldwide. The future Nigerian suppliers will enter this network and this will result in the realisation of new supply and export possibilities for Nigeria.2. At individual dealerships a new fuel conversion and maintenance service can be provided. The applicant estimated that in year 7 at least 100 small conversion facilities will have been set up employing some 4 to 500 people. The joint venture will organise open training sessions to transfer knowledge to people who wish to invest in their own conversion shop.For trucking companies the advantage will be the reduction in fuel cost, which could be as much as 25%. These fuel cost have increased significantly since the Government has started to lower the subsidies on fuel in recent months.Although the joint venture will not supply directly to consumers, they could benefit from the project when in future these alternative fuel systems will become available via private dealership. Hence, their fuel cost will decrease.•	Impact on the sectorThe proposal contains the following intentions:1. The joint venture will organise open training sessions to transfer knowledge to people who wish to invest in their own conversion shop.2. The joint venture will work with technical colleges and make components and training manuals available so that the knowledge of alternative fuel systems will increase. Also, the joint venture will invite students for internships.3. The joint venture will forge close relationships with the departments of Safety and Transport to develop emission and conversion standards for the industry and the country.4. The joint venture will help the appropriate government department with the establishment of a testing laboratory and will make their own chassis dynamometer available for calibration work, until the government department has been able to purchase its own equipment.•	EnvironmentCO2 and the fine dust particulates emissions of the DieselBlend systems are much lower than regular diesel operation (12%). In addition less CNG will have to be flared.•	Position of womenNeutral. To establish a fuel conversion and calibration centre in Lagos, able to convert 3,300 vehicles yearly, a service centre in Northern Nigeria and a service centre in Central Nigeria and to convert 2,500 heavy trucks.