By Musa Adamu
Abuja
Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Mustapha Baba Shehuri, has disclosed that the waste-to-wealth programme can greatly improve power supply in the country, urging for more research to be carried out on how best this can be utilized.
He made this known in his office when he played host to the Vice Chancellor and members of the governing council of the University of Maiduguri.
He stated that the programme, if properly initiated across the country, would address environmental issues, balance the energy mix, as well as boost economic activities of the people through the eradication of waste dump sites and landfills that usually pollute the air and water.
He said the programme was important especially in low-income and high density populated areas, where waste generation was traditionally high and improve power supply.
He called on the university and other academic institutions in the country to guide students through training, research and practical demonstrations on how recycling, composing and zero waste initiatives can improve power generation.
He said the initiative would reduce the need for disposal facilities and most importantly enhance economic activities.
Earlier in his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri, Prof. Ibrahim Njodi, said the purpose of his visit was to inform the minister about the forthcoming 22nd convocation and 40th anniversary ceremonies scheduled for the April 11-16, 2016.
Prof. Njodi added that the University had no any convocation ceremony since 2010 due to the insurgency being faced by the state, in particular and the North East region in general.
He hinted that this year’s ceremony would showcase the university’s developmental strides in both human capital and infrastructure despite the prevailing security challenges.
Also present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Magaji, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Central Administration), the Registrar, Management Staff of the University and some Management Staff of the Ministry.
