Commissioner for Environment in Ogun, Ola Oresanya, has announced a plan by the state government to convert over 3,000 tons of waste into fuel as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability.
The initiative was disclosed during the 2024 World Environment Day celebration, themed “Achieving the Smart City Agenda through Climate Change Resilience and Urban Afforestation.”
Speaking at the event, Oresanya highlighted Ogun State’s pioneering efforts to become the first in Nigeria to transform waste into energy sources.
“We are taking a bold giant step in making sure that over 3,000 tons of waste generated in Ogun State daily is converted to fuel for our cement industries, and we are doing this with the support of our main sponsors today, Gasco Marine, which is also into CNG production,” he said.
The commissioner emphasized the state’s goal of achieving zero waste and converting all waste into energy.
“We are all poised to make sure that Ogun State will be the first state in Nigeria where we have zero waste and where all our waste would be converted to energy sources,” he added.
He noted that the initiative is also aimed at fostering a new economic line by leveraging the potential of a circular economy through green finance mechanisms for decarbonization.
Prof. Zachariah Yaduma, Director-General of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, delivered a lecture at the event, reiterating the necessity of efficient energy use, good urban planning, and green infrastructures to achieve the smart city agenda.
“For Ogun State to achieve a smart city, it must have efficient energy use, good urban planning, green infrastructures, among others,” he stated.
“Ogun State’s initiative to convert waste to fuel is a significant step towards sustainability and exemplifies its commitment to creating a greener future,” he added.
Minister of State for the Environment, Dr Isiaq Salako, advocates for biogas adoption as an alternative energy source for domestic cooking in rural areas.
He stated that the change would cut reliance on charcoal, preserve the ecosystem, promote human health, and curb forest exploitation for charcoal.
Dr Salako emphasized the environmental and health benefits of biogas, noting that it provides quick heat for cooking and is environmentally friendly, even in enclosed spaces, unlike charcoal.
