By Olasunkanmi Akoni

Record has it that six million tonnes of waste are generated annually in Lagos and that 30 percent of such waste can be recycled to reduce the amount going to landfills. In other words, Lagos generates the equivalent tonnage in waste products for eight states in the country daily. It also operates eight landfill sites to process domestic and industrial waste in various locations across the state.

But given this high turn over of waste and the fact that most of the land fills are already overflowing, there is the question of what is to be done to stem this disturbing development, especially in the light of on-going campaign for waste to wealth. The question was answered recently when  Governor Babatunde Fashola commissioned a N1.3 billion West Africa Energy Material Recovery Facility, MRF, at Solous I MRF, LASU-Iba Road, Igando area of the state. The facility is said to be able, among others, to separate and prepare recyclable materials for end-user manufacturers.

The MRF facility

The project which comes under a Public Private Partnership, PPP, collaboration between the state and West Africa Energy Group, is to operate on the Built, Operate, Manage and Transfer, BOMT, policy framework. It has a tenure of 12 years with 20 percent equity to the state government monthly.

Speaking on the occasion of the commissioning,  the Onigando of Igando, Oba Tijani Gbadmosi, recounted how he prevented several attempts by some individual to hijack the land for wrong uses. According to him, the space on where the MRF is situated started as a minor refuse dump, developed into a refuse heap and later expanded into big dumpsite.

“As a result of this development, the stench oozing out of the site was so strong that some residents had to relocate. You dare not pass this area without covering your nose,” he said, adding that the intervention of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, saved the situation. He also informed with joy that since the arrival of MRF, the stench had disappeared, while thanking the Lagos State government and LAWMA for the happy development which also promises job opportunities for people the area.

Mr. John Chukwuemeka, chairman of one of the community development associations in Igando New Town, had this to say: “When I first moved into this area several years ago, there was sanity. It used to be a quiet, lonely place but as development crept in, we started seeing heaps of refuse on this land. It got so bad that our underground water was contaminated. Some who could not bear it relocated. But thank God, that this MRF project has put a stop to it. We can now live in a safe, clean environment.”

Speaking earlier at the event, Gov Fashola said:  “The commissioning of the facility is another first in the history of Nigeria to the glory of God and another job creation venture in the solid waste management sector. Commercially, the MRF will provide raw materials for plastic, paper and metal manufacturers throughout Lagos and beyond in commercial quantities.

*Governor Babatunde Fashola and Oba Tijani Gbadmosi, flanked by officials during the launch of the facility

“In addition, several other small scale industries will develop within this cluster, such as nylon manufacturers, recyclables buy-back centres for all. Siting the MRF in this locality will further improve turn-around time for the private sector participants, PSP, that dump waste in this MRF, resulting in more trips daily and cleaner Lagos environment overall.”

Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Taofik Folami, added that the facility was a demonstration of government’s   resolve to foster a clean, healthy and sustainable environment for the well being of citizens. “We all know that the era of landfill site is gradually winding down and waste must be generated. All citizens of Lagos will be expected to commence point of source waste segregation, while collection of sorted waste to MRF will be next stage to be advocated.”

Managing Director of LAWMA, Ola Oresanya, whose agency is to supervise operation of the facility, explained that the MRF would add value to the environment of the state and ensure a safer and more conducive atmosphere for the wellness of its citizens.

Oresanya, who disclosed that the facility which will generate about 500 jobs in the first instance, added that it has the capacity to handle over 150 loaded refuse trucks per day. “The conception and development of MRF will unlock hidden potentials and benefits in environmental monitoring, management and sustainability through the generation of business opportunities and spin-offs that will benefit the people,” he said.

Mrs. Lolade Oresanwo, Chief Operating Officer of Solous MRF Ltd and West Africa Energy, also explained that: “The facility is to pick solid wastes like milk can, soft drinks cans and sort them through for recoverable purpose. Our next phase is to have Mechanical Biological Treatment, MBT, facility that will convert residual wastes from the MRF to energy and from that to another one called the refined compost for farmers.

“Our mission is to ensure zero waste landfill by 2020. Presently, the facility has the capacity for 150 trucks per day and can accommodate 450 staff. Interestingly, 80 percent of our staff are females.”