Anambra State and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have jointly set up a compost and recycling plant for the treatment of household waste and other plastic materials which are converted into organic manure and useful materials that will ultimately create viable options for waste to wealth ventures in the state.

The Less Burnt Clean Earth plant was commissioned early in the week by the Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano. It was initiated in 2011 following the selection of Anambra and Kano states for the pilot study but it wasn’t until 2014 that work commenced on the Anambra project.

Speaking during the flag-off, Governor Obiano said the mini plant would convert waste to wealth. He disclosed out that the project would be replicated in all the local government areas and major cities of the state.

According to the governor, “this initiative is one way of ensuring that we live in clean and healthy environment. We started by ensuring that all blocked drainages are opened, and the residents are expected to collate their refuse in three designated bags according to direction and drop them at designated points where they would be collected by refuse contractors.”

Governor Obiano further disclosed that the state government has engaged eight refuse collection contractors who are expected to make sure that the wastes are collected and deposited at the appropriate sites.

He equally said that fencing of major dump sites in the state is underway and that the waste would ultimately become useful materials with economic value.

Chief Obiano also noted that the organic manure produced from the plant would support the government’s agricultural programme and stressed the need for continuous enlightenment of the people on the programme.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Environment, Chief Evaristus Uba, disclosed that the state provided land for the project while UNDP built the structure and provided the equipment.

Chief Uba explained that refuse bins of different colours would be distributed to households to collect and separate their waste which the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) would later collect for processing. He stated that, in addition to the organic manure for agriculture, the recycled plastic materials would be supplied to plastic manufacturing companies.

Earlier, the Managing Director of ASWAMA, Mr. Phil Chinwuba, said the plant was community-based and would serve between 200 - 300 households and has a capacity to employ 25 workers.

The Chairman, Awka South Local Government Council, Mr. Azubuike Iloh, urged the people to imbibe the culture of proper disposal of waste in order to maintain a healthy environment.

In his remarks, the State Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mr. William Obiora, said the plant would help to provide effective solution to the challenge of reducing the burden of waste management.

•Photo shows, L-R; Commissioner for Environment Anambra State, Mr. Evaristus Ubah, Secretary to Anambra State Government Oseloka Obaze, Governor Willie Obiano and others at the commissioning of the Less Burnt Clean Earth composite recycling plant in Okpuno, Awka.