In
furtherance of the Obiano administration’s determination to rid the
State of filth, Anambra State and United Nations Development Programme
(UNDP) have jointly set up a Compost and Recycling Plant for the
treatment of household waste and other plastic materials which are
converted into organic manure and useful materials that will ultimately
create viable options for waste to wealth ventures in the state.
- Hon Commsissioner for Environment Anambra State, Mr, Evaristus Ubah, Secretary to Anambra State Government Oseloka Obaze, Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano and others at the Commissioning of the Less Burnt Clean Earth composite Recycling plant in Okpuno, Awka recently.
The
Composite recycling plant which was commissioned early in the week by
the Anambra State governor Chief Willie Obiano was initiated in 2011
following the selection of Anambra and Kano States for the pilot study
but it wasn't until 2014 that work commenced on the Anambra project.
Speaking
during the flag-off, Governor Obiano said the mini plant would convert
waste to wealth and pointed out that the project would be replicated in
all the local government areas and major cities of the State.
According
to the governor, “this initiative is one way of ensuring that we live
in clean and healthy environment. We started by ensuring that all
blocked drainages are opened, and the residents are expected to collate
their refuse in three designated bags according to direction and drop
them at designated points where they would be collected by refuse
contractors. “
Governor
Obiano further disclosed that the State government had engage eight
refuse collection contractors who are expected to make sure that the
wastes are collected and deposited at the appropriate sites.
He
equally said that fencing of major dump sites in the State is underway
and that the waste would ultimately become useful materials with
economic value.
Governor
Obiano also noted that the organic manure produced from the plant would
support the government's agricultural programme and stressed the need
for continuous enlightenment of the people on the programme.
In
his own remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Evarist Uba
observed that the State provided land for the project while the UNDP
built the structure and provided the equipment.
Chief
Uba explained that refuse bins of different colours would be
distributed to households to collect and separate their waste which the
Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) would later collect
for processing. He stated that, in addition, to the organic manure for
agriculture, the recycled plastic materials would be supplied to plastic
manufacturing companies.
Earlier,
the Managing Director of ASWAMA, Mr. Phil Chinwuba said the plant was
community-based and would serve between 200 - 300 households and has a
capacity to employ 25 workers.
The
Chairman, Awka South Local Government Council, Mr. Azubuike Iloh urged
the people to imbibe the culture of proper disposal of waste in order to
maintain a healthy environment.
In
his remarks, the State Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance
(APGA), Mr. William Obiora said the plant would help to provide
effective solution to the challenge of reducing the burden of waste
management.