By Musa Adamu with agencies
Kano and Kaduna state governments have hinted of their readiness to generate electricity from solid waste materials.
Environmental officials in the two states gave the indication at separate functions recently.
Ahmed Salihu, Director of Environment, Kaduna state ministry for environment, said that plans to generate electricity from domestic waste had gone far.
According to him, the plan is to transform waste into huge employment opportunities.
He said: “We have already entered into discussion with the Federal Ministry of Environment and had shown interest to partner with us to make the project a reality.
“The waste generation has become a major challenge to the state and we need to be taken advantage of the situation.
“The large volumes being generated daily has become a nightmare to the government, residents and even the environment as the population of the state increases.
“Therefore, turning the waste into energy or electricity is inevitable to save humanity and the environment.”
Salihu said the Kaduna recycling plant, located along Kaduna-Abuja highway, had reached 80 percent completion as the needed machinery had been installed.
According to him, used plastic and nylons are being used as raw materials for the plant and that this will complement government’s effort in ensuring the state is flood free during rainy season.
“This initiative will also generate revenue for the state government as recycled products will be sold to residents at a cheaper price.
“The plant is expected to create employment for at least 2000 youths in the state.”
Also speaking, General Manager, Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA), Yusuf Rigasa, said 3000 tonnes of refuse were evacuated daily within the metropolis.
He said the state government had approved the construction of three new standard refuse dumping sites and ten transfer stations at the cost of N675 million.
He said the refuse dumping site was to take care of the increasing tonnes of waste generated daily in the state.
In Kano state, the government said that it was exploring avenues of converting solid waste to electricity in collaboration with a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).
The government said it had already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the organisation.
Deputy Director, Pollution Control in the state Ministry of Environment, Baba Ahmad,said the MoU with the NGO, SharaDukiya, was to convert solid waste to electricity.
He explained that the conditions attached to the agreement had been met, pointing out that the project would take off in the next few months.
He said the bulk of solid wastes were generated by the eight local government areas in Kano metropolis.
He said the state government had no waste recycling plant or incinerator, but that the NGO had installed one in Gabasawa area of the state.
Meanwhile, the Kano state Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB) described solid waste as a very viable source of generating electricity.
He said: “because it is one of the three major sources of electricity all over the world.”
“Other countries have tried it and succeeded, therefore, if the necessary materials are provided, it can also be successful in our country.”
