A researcher at the Bayelsa government owned University of Africa Toru-Orua (UAT) has made a breakthrough in converting waste to methane gas or BioGas which serves as cooking gas.

The feat is sequel to a year-long research funded by the Bayelsa government through the Bayelsa State Education Development Trust Fund (BYEDTF).

The research breakthrough provides solution to waste management, job creation as well as providing affordable cooking gas amidst rising cost of liquified petroleum gas.

The researcher, Dr. Faith Ogbole, demonstrated the workings of the biogas plant when officials of BYEDTF visited the University of Africa Toru-Orua in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

She expressed appreciation to EDTF for funding her project, production and purification of Methane Gas from septic tanks and other environmental wastes like plantain peals, animal dung and grasses.

Ogbole explained that the plant is locally fabricated and accepts wastes of all kinds, grinded and poured into a specially built air-tight tank to generate gas.

According to the researcher, the gas is then passed through a purifier and ends as methane gas also used for cooking amongst other uses.

According to the researcher, the high cost of Liquefied Petroleum Gas and the need to create jobs and wealth for the University and the state propelled her work.

She said it also serves as a way of eradicating waste and improving the environment.

The researcher interacted with the Vice Chancellor of UAT, Acting Chairman of BYEDTF, Prof. Francis Sikoki who led other member of the Scientific Research and Technology Development Committee on the project inspection visit.

Sikoki recalled that the BYEDTF in 2024 awarded grants to a researchers cutting across the state-owned tertiary institutions, commending the waste to BioGas project as most outstanding.

Sikoki maintained that the BYEDTF is committed to supporting researches that are commercially viable and providing solutions to problems of the society.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Scientific Research and Technology Development Committee Chief Evelyn Adombazi said the fund made good decisions in funding the research work, particularly the BioGas Project.

She encouraged to lead researcher to further improve on the project to make it affordable and accessible to most homes as pocket friendly options will attract commercial patronage.

The team also inspected the progress of other BYEDTF projects funded such as the Bayelsa Larvae Project and the separation of Cyanide from environmental waste.

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