By Faridat Salifu
Lagos State may begin to enjoy 29 megawatts of electricity by December, 2024.
Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) is set to establish a biogas plant by December at the Ketu-Ikosi fruit market to convert food and fruit waste their to electricity.
This, according to the agency, marks a significant step in the state’s commitment to sustainable waste management and clean energy.
Mr. Abimbola Ajayi, LAWMA’s Assistant Director for Waste-to-Energy, shared the initiative at a clean-up event held by FABE Foundation on Wednesday, in Lagos.
Biogas plants transform organic waste into sustainable energy and fertilizer, using an anaerobic process to minimize waste and environmental impact.
Ajayi praised FABE Foundation and Prudential Zenith Life Assurance for their role in raising awareness about waste segregation among traders which, she said, is a critical step is ensuring the proposed plant’s efficiency.
“With organic waste segregation, we can select the right materials needed for biogas production,” Ajayi said, adding that the plant will also support a cold storage facility, allowing traders to preserve perishable goods.
Temitope Okunnu, CEO of FABE Foundation, encouraged traders to utilize the market’s biodigester, which, she lamented, is underutilized.
“Fruit waste can be harnessed to produce biogas and compost for farming,” Okunnu said, adding, “By sorting waste at the source, traders can contribute to energy production and reduce the market’s waste footprint.”
The initiative also aligns with the Project Clean Air campaign, which aims to transform illegal dump sites into eco-gardens fertilized with compost from organic market waste.
Mrs. Charisse Ige, Chief Strategy Officer at Prudential Zenith Life Assurance, expressed the company’s dedication to sustainability and carbon footprint reduction, citing the project as a way to reinforce Prudential’s commitment across Africa and Asia.
“Sustainability is key to our future,” Ige observed, continuing, “Reducing emissions and implementing waste management practices will help us improve air quality and environmental health.”
Ketu-Ikosi Fruit Market’s Secretary-General, Mr. Shola Olokungboye, emphasized the market’s ongoing efforts at ensuring cleanliness, supported by LAWMA’s daily waste collection.
“Health is wealth, and we remain committed to maintaining a clean environment,” Olokungboye said, expressing gratitude for the support from FABE Foundation and its partners in enhancing the market’s environmental standards.
The project represents a collaborative step toward sustainable development as well as promoting waste-to-energy solutions and healthier communities in Lagos State.
