Ondo to pilot waste to wealth scheme

ONDO state has been picked by the Federal Government as one of six states in the country to pilot the waste to wealth scheme deployment of appropriate technological infrastructure for integrated waste-to-wealth system.

The scheme, which would see to the establishment of waste-to wealth system at waste facility sites in each of the states picked for the scheme across the  six geo-political zones in the country, was inaugurated at the weekend by the Minister of Science and Technology, Chief Ogbonaya Onu in Akure, the State capital.

Speaking during the flag off of the scheme, the state governor,  Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, said that unemployed  youths would be invited to own the innovation which is in tune with the new thinking of his administration in the state.

Akeredolu said the flag off of the Waste-to-Wealth in the state came at a time when mother-nature reacted, angrily, to fore warn of dire consequences in the future if the country fails to display merited reverence.

He said “the flag off of the Waste-to-Wealth in Ondo State, through the Establishment of Pilot Models and Deployment of Appropriate Technological Infrastructure for Integrated Waste-to-Wealth (W2W) System at the Waste Facility Sites, could not have come at a better time than now when Mother-Nature reacted, angrily, to forewarn of dire consequences in the future if we fail to display merited reverence.”

He said many states experienced devastating floods, consequent upon ceaseless and torrential downpour, recently because of inappropriate waste disposal saying the lessons derivable from the unfortunate incident will not be forgotten soon.

“In spite of our much vaunted claim to sophistication, arising from acquisition of certificates from our various institutions of higher learning and professional training, we were caught napping when the rains came.

“The recent embarrassment shows a huge gap between our much advertised expertise and the challenges which threaten our very existence.

$Our nonchalant disposition to our environment contradicts the specious claim to modernity. We throw things around without regard for decency.

He noted that many drainage has become refuse dumps for the people while they prayed against disaster saying the people are hostile to their environment and yet  expect only its bounties and no hostility.

He explained that Nigerians have failed to understand the nature and value of things around them and said “Our lifestyle predisposes us to disasters. Our attitude to work makes planning for the future almost impossible. Our environment becomes hostile, increasingly, because of our inability to understand the nature of things as well as their utilitarian value.

$We acquired a basically consumptive taste consequent on over indulgence of many years. We are bereft of ideas with regard to the maintenance and sustenance of the environment. We simply abuse nature and expect no serious repercussion.

He however advocated that waste generation and disposal should form part of the new learning of the people for safe and healthy living.

“Living entails becoming and passing away. Nothing is indeed a waste. A discarded material announces the end of a purpose for which it is designed, waiting for a yet-to-be determined end. Our material world is whole and indivisible. Therefore, the message of Waste-to-Wealth brings forth a new freshness to a seeming despondent state of affairs in the polity”.

The governor also noted tgat domestic wastes are generated and disposed in ways that are inimical to the health of the people, saying “this waste, both solid and liquid, often poses hazard to the health and safety of the society.

” Drainages are blocked with debris, buildings erected on easement and petroleum by-products such as polythene bags, nylon, plastic, disused boxes, household utensils, scraps of disused vehicles and machines, among others, litter everywhere.

He however said that knowledge of the possibility of converting waste disposal to generation of wealth is exciting with the availability of the technical know-how.

He said ” We are more than excited that our state has been chosen as the Pilot Site for the programme which will be in the six geo-political zones in the country. Indigenes and residents of the state are more than ready to learn how to participate in this innovating scheme.”