The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) has commenced the implementation of waste-to-wealth oriented projects to generate green energy in Ebonyi State in south-eastern Nigeria.
The Ebonyi Coordinator of UNIDO, Mr Chukwuma Elom, told journalists on Wednesday in Abakaliki that UNIDO was working on a 5-megawatt rice husk-based biomass power plant in Abakaliki for generating “independent power for Ebonyi State.
’’Other projects by UNIDO include a pilot gasification plant which will use wood and other agro-wastes to generate fuel for rural energy,’’ he said.
According to him, UNIDO’s mission in Ebonyi State is rooted in waste-to-wealth, industrialization, and conversion of abundant agro-waste materials to wealth.
He noted that the recycling of waste materials would help reduce air and water pollution in addition to lowering green house gas emissions.
’’Unfortunately, developing countries do not encourage inward perception to improve on the lives of the populace,’’ he said.
The General Manager of Ebonyi State Environmental Protection Agency, Dr Okeh. C. Okeh, advised scavengers in Nigeria to form cooperative societies to enhance and sustain their profession in wealth creation.
’’Scavengers have great roles to play in sanitizing our society, generate great wealth from waste and clear the environment of scraps and junks,’’ he said.
He expressed concern over the increase in the use of polyethylene and plastic products in packaging and other domestic uses to the detriment of the environment.
Source African Press Agency
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