Onu was speaking during the inauguration of the programme in the North Central Zone, Markurdi, Benue, a statement by Mrs Henrietta Okokon, the Asst. Chief Information Officer in the ministry said on Friday in Abuja.
“It is imperative that waste-to-wealth management sector be rehabilitated and equipped with technology-driven concepts with techniques that are environmentally safe to help explore and extract opportunities hidden within waste.
“Benue is endowed with rich natural, agricultural resources and diverse cultural heritage.
“This makes it a prime location for the establishment of waste management pilot plant model that will serve as an example to other states within the zone.’’
He said that the pilot plant when installed would ensure wastes were converted to valuable economic goods and services.
Onu said it would also to help stimulate national consciousness to the importance of science and technology,“ he said.
He said that technology was as an important instrument for national rebirth, sustainable development and enduring prosperity.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Belema Wakama said that Waste-to-Wealth programme was targeted at achieving a sustainable end-to-end solution for national integrated waste management system in the country.
“This is by using appropriate technologies through a well-coordinated national plan, orientation and strategy.
“The establishment of the pilot plant model in the state will lead to the realisation of objectives of economic stimulation.’’programme in terms of employment generation, improved lives and breed cleaner environment,“ she said.
Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue pledged his administrations’ full support for the Waste-to-Wealth initiative embarked by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.
Ortom said that the state had earmarked a dumpsite of about four hectares of land for the pilot project with the hope that when the project commenced fully, the quantum waste that littered around major towns in the state would be completely eradicated.
The governor said that the waste at the dumpsite when evacuated and fed into the machines would be converted to valuable materials that would be marketed to create wealth for the citizenry.
The National Waste-to-Wealth programme was first commissioned by the minister at the Idundu Industrial Layout, Calabar for the South South Zone.
The programme is expected to be replicated in all the six geopolitical zones of the country.
No comments:
Post a Comment