FCTA to create wealth through waste recycling

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has expressed willingness to turn the heaps of waste in the territory into energy that could be utilised by governments, corporate bodies and individuals in Abuja.

This position was hinted during presentation of a feasibility study to management team of Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) by a renewable power generation firm last week.

Addressing the meeting, CEO of Galacom, Engr. (Chief) Caputo Maurizion, disclosed that the presentation was in conformity with the Minister’s directive that he conduct a feasibility study to determine the workability of such an initiative in the FCT.

According to him, the Minister who expressed happiness that “the Administration will kill two birds with one stone, was hopeful that the initiative would solve the issue of waste which block drainages in the territory, leading to flooding, in addition to ensuring stable power supply.

He disclosed that Nigeria’s renewable energy potential was huge”, adding that there was already more than enough waste in the Federal Capital City alone that could be transformed into green and clean energy devoid of environmental devastation” that could serve the whole city and environs.

Explaining that the plant was a modular plant new technology, which uses ecogas generator to generate energy, Engr. Maurizion revealed that it would cost the Administration 4.7 million Euros for the one of 7.2MW, while that of 72MW costs 40 million Euros, adding they are pre-assembled in Italy. These figures, he said, are for transportation and installation of the plants.

He also hinted that it was not good investment to buy generator sets to power street lights in the city because of the escalating cost of diesel which they rely on, as well as their health hazards.

The Italian-Nigerian also suggested reliable means of funding the project to the Minister, saying that the FCTA could to take advantage of special intervention fund laying fallow at the CBN, and a similar facility with the EU, with only the condition that it would be offered green bond. He promised to help introduce the FCTA to the EU to access the funds and prosecute this laudable project for the benefit of all Nigerians.

Representative of the Director, AEPB and Head, Environmental Health and Safety, Mrs. Kate Ogbonna, who expressed gratitude for the presentation, added that the FCT Minister would be properly briefed after which, he would take a final decision on next line of action.