By Edeniyere Abraham Osose
As part of sustained efforts to attain a clean State status and ensure the sustainability of the environment through modern technology and Public-Private Partnership business model, the Edo State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with EP-20 Nig. and ECHO Polistirolo SA, Switzerland, to establish a recycling plant worth N2.83bn.
Speaking during the MoU signing ceremony, which was held at the office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Government House, Benin City, the Commissioner for Environment and Sustainability, Engr. Jonathan Lawani, said “the MoU will help hasten up the establishment of a 3-in-1 recycling plant with numerous benefits to the people of Edo State.
According to Lawani, the initiative will help to create more job opportunities for professionals, who are experts in operating the facilities, non-professionals, such as waste scavengers and other minor jobs, who will, in turn, make monetary value from what they gather from the waste and sell to the company.
He assured of the enormous benefits of the recycling plant and urged residents to get ready to start getting economic value from their waste once the company begins its operation.
He advised residents to imbibe the culture of proper waste management in their various houses and the entire city to curb the high level of indiscriminate dumping of refuse in the city, stressing that a healthy and clean environment is for the benefit of all.
The Commissioner further said: “The recycling facility is a huge project that costs about 2.2million Euros, it’s a huge investment in line with the MEGA vision of Mr Governor, who is committed to transforming the lives of all Edo people in the State by creating the enabling environment for private investors to thrive”.
On his part, the General Manager of the Edo State Waste Management Board, Mr Osadebamen Charles Imariagbe, applauded the resilient effort of Governor Godwin Obaseki, in actualizing such an unprecedented initiative.
He noted: “We are here today to sign the MoU, which will bring into the State another yet recycling dimension, which is the best practice in the modern world. It is a multi-purpose waste facility that will take care of hospital waste, recycle and treat sewage which are some of the nagging challenges we have as far as the waste management sector is concerned.”
Imariagbe urged the partner to show commitment by delivering on the project within the timeline given.
In his response, the Chief Executive Officer of EP-20 Nig. Ltd, Prince Osariemen Obaseki, lauded the rare privilege and the opportunity to partner with the Edo State Government and assured that he would hit the ground running to deliver on the project within the stipulated timeline.
He added that with the help of the facility there will be proper waste management culture to keep the State clean.
