Governor Segun Oni of Ekiti State is set to banish refuse from the State, especially the streets of Ado Ekiti, the state capital, by rolling out waste management equipment worth N291.3 million
A statement from the Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Lere Olayinka, said the commissioning also marked the beginning of the government’s Waste to Energy Project. The project will enable the government to create energy in the form of electricity or heat from the incineration of waste source. It is a form of energy recovery and electricity is expected to be produced directly through combustion. Combustible fuel commodity, such as methane, methanol, ethanol or synthetic fuels might also be produced through the project.
The equipment included 115 20-tonne Waste Bins, three Dino Bin Trucks, three 20-tonnes tippers, 21 motor cycles and radio communications. They are to be used in Ado and Ikere while provisions are to be made for other council areas soon.
In the opinion of Governor Oni, who noted that the commissioning of the equipment marked a new beginning and a significant step in the government’s efforts to change the face of the environment at a glance; “Ado Ekiti, the state capital deserves special attention.”
To underscore the government readiness to follow its words with action, the equipment were distributed immediately and the waste bins are now stationed in strategic locations in the two towns for the collection of refuse. Also speaking during the ceremony, the state Commissioner for Environment, Otunba Segun Olanrewaju said the scheme would be made self financing at the long run. He also disclosed that the government would supply wheelie bins to every home in the State soon. This, he said was to put an end to indiscriminate disposal of waste in every household while also assisting the waste generating project of waste to wealth and waste to energy.