Kaduna and Kano State governments have concluded plans to generate electricity from solid waste. Environmental officials from the two States confirmed the power generation project.
According to Malam Ahmed Salihu, Director of Environment, Kaduna State Ministry for Environment, plans to generate electricity from solid waste has gone far by now, such that the plan will transform waste into huge employment opportunities.
However, the Federal Government has shown interest in partnering with the two States to make the power generating project a reality.
Though, waste generation has become a major challenge to the state such that large volumes being generated daily has become a nightmare to the government, residents and even the environment as the population of the state increases, even so the situation needs to be taken advantage of the proposed project.
Turning the waste into energy or electricity is inevitable to save humanity and the environment. The Kaduna recycling plant, located along Kaduna-Abuja Highway, has at the moment attained 80% completion as the needed machinery had been installed.
In this case, used plastic and nylons will be used as raw materials for the plant; this will complement government’s effort in ensuring the state is flood free during rainy season.
The initiative is also expected to generate revenue for the state government as recycled products will be sold to residents at a cheaper price. Additionally, the plant is expected to create employment opportunity for at least 2000 youths in Kaduna State.
Yusuf Rigasa, General Manager, Kaduna State Environmental Protection Authority (KEPA) confirmed that 3000 tonnes of refuse were evacuated daily within the metropolis. However, the state government has approved the construction of three new standard refuse dumping sites and ten transfer stations at the cost of US$2.1m.
On the other hand, the government said that it was exploring avenues of converting solid waste to electricity in collaboration with a Non-Governmental Organisation in Kano State. To complement the Government effort a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed with the organisation.
According to Deputy Director, Pollution Control in the state Ministry of Environment, Malam Baba Ahmad MoU with the NGO is aimed to convert solid waste to electricity. However, the conditions attached to the agreement had been met, pointing out that the project might take off in the next few months.
The state government, has no waste recycling plant or incinerator, but the NGO had installed one in Gabasawa area of the state. Meanwhile, the Kano State Refuse Management and Sanitation Board (REMASAB) says it is evacuating over 4, 000 tonnes of refuse daily.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has however, procured sanitation equipment worth US$5m as part of effort to ensure effective refuse collection and disposal in the state. The general public are urged to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse in places not designed for such purpose.
