FG commissions waste management facility in Nasarawa

The Federal Government has commissioned the integrated solid waste management facility in Lafia, Nasarawa State.

The project, undertaken through the Ecological Project Office (EPO) is one of the 18 ecological intervention schemes approved and awarded by the EPO. It is expected to check improper management of waste and ensure environmental protection in the communities, which it will serve.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Environment, Mohammed Abdullahi at the handover of the project to the state government, assured that it will ensure sustainable management of waste in the state.

He noted that research has shown that indiscriminate disposal of municipal solid waste is accelerating and linked to poverty, poor governance, population growth, poor standard of living, and low level of environmental awareness and knowledge.

The president observed that the intervention will bring huge relief to Lafia, which has been experiencing ecological challenges for a long time as well as reduce dangers to lives associated with pollution.

He urged the benefitting communities to jealously guard the project and ensure that the installed equipment is not vandalised.

Earlier, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Mohammed Ubandoma, commended the Federal Government for the laudable project.

Sule said the delivery of the facility is a great contribution of the Federal Government in tackling environmental challenges and harvesting the economic benefits of turning waste into wealth.

Sule said: “It will address the mirage of challenges, especially solving environmental devastation. People living around the metropolis like Karu and Mararaba axis and other urban settlements faced indiscriminate dumping of refuse with the consequences of affecting their health and wellbeing.”

He assured that government will immediately put the project to effective use for the benefit of the people, adding that steps would be taken to explore necessary public /private partnership with willing investors to replicate the plant model and reap the benefit of the project.

On his part, the Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Kwanta Yakubu, lauded the Federal Government for the project. He said it would boost the monthly environmental sanitation exercise, the ban on the production and use of charcoal in commercial quantities and the operation of Green Nasarawa State.