By Ojugbele Omotunde
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has partnered with Dutch firm Harvest Waste Consortium to build a high-efficiency waste-to-energy plant on Epe landfill which will generate clean energy from municipal, commercial, and industrial waste, powering 40,000 homes across Lagos State.
The partnership was formalized on Monday.
The partnership with the Amsterdam, Netherlands-based firm was in presence of the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources, and the deal was signed under the supervision of the Lagos State Office of Public Private cooperation.
Gboyega Akosile, Special Adviser and Publicity for the Lagos State Government, revealed that an innovative waste management system is projected to remove 40,000 houses from the national electricity grid, hence improving energy security and diversification.
Sanwo-Olu cited by Akosile stated that the partnership aims to reduce environmental pollution, improve air quality, and prevent water resource degradation while also emphasized that the partnership represents a significant step forward in his administration’s waste management strategy and a milestone in building a clean, healthy, and more sustainable city.
He added that the partnership will transform waste management and energy production in Lagos, with a high-efficiency waste-to-energy plant capable of processing 2,250 tonnes of waste daily and that the plant will not only provide a sustainable alternative to waste dumping but also divert over 95% of waste from landfill sites.
He announced that the partnership which is a 25-year-old initiative will reduce the environmental footprint of waste disposal methods in the city as the plant is expected to trap 550,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases daily.
He added that the project also aims to stimulate economic activities, attract investments, and create jobs while emphasizing that the technology, tested by the European Commission, has been proven reliable and efficient and that the initiative will protect public health and contribute to the circular economy.
Deputy Consul General of the Netherlands consulate Leonie Van der Stijl highlighted the partnership between Lagos and the Netherlands, emphasizing its potential for international collaboration to address local challenges and expressing the Dutch government’s commitment to the agreement’s success.
Managing Director of Harvest Waste Consortium, Evert Lichtenbelt stated that the firm known for its solid waste management expertise, has agreed to manage part of Lagos’ solid waste, a move that aligns with Amsterdam and Lagos’ shared challenges in population and waste management.
Also speaking, Tokunbo Wahab, the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, announced that this is a new mandate for Lagos to seek solid waste management solutions, backed by the Dutch government, aiming to transform the state’s waste burden into wealth.