WASTE TO WEALTH: NCoS partners with firm to raise biogas value chain in Port Harcourt
Oru Leonard
The Nigerian Correctional Service, Rivers State Command once again plays host to the Controller General of Corrections, Haliru Nababa FICMC, MFR, mni, as he presents a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU), to the Controller of Corrections, Rivers State Command, Felix Lawrence, who inturn handed it over to the private developer, Mr Ibikun Taiwo, Director of MESSR BIOFIL TECHNOLOGY NIGERIA LIMITED for the production of organic fertilizers at Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port-Harcourt.
CGCS Haliru Nababa FICMC, MFR, mni, who was ably represented by Controller of Corrections, Raymond Jatau, sewage unit, National Headquarters, Abuja, stated that there will be continuous selection and deployment of Inmates for learning and earning from the program which will aid;
1) Promotion of Inmates rehabilitation and support their reintegration.
2) Enhance the human capital base of Nigerian youth.
3) Encourage PPP as a government strategic development policy, there by generate revenue from waste matter.
4) Ensure sustainability of biogas as viable option for sewage and waste management in Correctional environment.
All benefits of the program shall be articulated by a separate consultant on Inmates rehabilitation surveillance, MESSRS P- GREENING PROJECT LIMITED/ GTE, to ensure that Inmates legitimate income is extracted from BIOFIL TECH NIG LTD as an earning scheme for the effective rehabilitation of those affected Inmates in the Correctional Centre.
The clear advantage of the arrangement is that maintenance cost for the biogas facility on the authority is drastically minimised while additional value of extraction of fertilizers for agricultural use is achieved. And utilization of the organic fertilizer is expected to be procured by Agric Unit of the Nigerian Correctional Service to enrich activities of farm centres in Rivers and other commands around the southern parts of Nigeria.
It is the desire of government to optimize investment in all aspects of Correctional management, as the CGCS urges all field officers to brace up to the new challenge of meeting up with the service mandate of productivity and capacity building of Inmates talents.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of the memorandum of understanding to the BIOFIL TECH NIG LTD, and the sight inspection of all dignitaries present.
The Controller of Corrections, Rivers State Command, Felix Lawrence appreciated the CGCS for the sustainability of the Biogas project since 2020 and further harnessing the value chain in developing the biogas through the public private partnership scheme.
The incharge of the Custodial Centre, Deputy Controller of Corrections EO Etim, took the vote of thanks as the event came to a close with group photographs.
Be reminded that the conversation of human waste to biogas energy at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port-Harcourt started with liquefied petroleum gas operated kitchen in November 2020.
(NCoS Media)
