By Chika Okeke and Eunice Orike
The Federal Government has formalised plans to deploy biogas technology for effective management of abattoirs and other related facilities, designed to promote sustainable waste management practices.
This formed the crux of discussions during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) and National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) in Abuja.
The MoU is expected to strengthen cooperation in the application of biotechnology, while protecting the environmental and public health.
This is even as the MoA seeks to transform animal blood, rumen content, manure, wastewater and other organic waste into biogas, organic fertiliser and other useful by-products.
Registrar of EHCON, Dr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba emphasised the importance of collaboration between both agencies in addressing environmental challenges.
He noted that the partnership would provide an opportunity to transform waste management challenges into economic opportunities, wealth creations, and employment.
Under the agreements, a Joint Technical Committee will coordinate implementation activities, including the selection of suitable facilities, training of environmental health officers and abattoir operators, technology transfer and monitoring of the initiative’s environmental and public health outcomes.
Baba described the partnership as an example of inter-agency collaboration capable of turning waste management challenges into opportunities for energy generation and wealth creation.
He reaffirmed EHCON’s commitment to implementing the agreements, harping on the importance of cooperation in promoting effective environmental health practices across the country.
The partnership is expected to improve sanitation in abattoirs, reduce environmental pollution and disease risks, as well as expand access to renewable energy through the productive use of organic waste.
He highlighted the agency’s technological and research capabilities, expressing confidence that the collaboration would deliver meaningful benefits to Nigerians in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The key target of the initiative is the utilisation of biotechnology, particularly anaerobic digestion, to convert organic waste into valuable resources while reducing environmental pollution and public health risks associated with poor abattoir waste disposal.
Director-General of NBRDA, Prof. Abdullahi Mustapha praised EHCON for its commitment to formalising cooperation between the two agencies, emphasising the importance of applying biotechnology to environmental sanitation, waste-to-wealth initiative, and sustainable energy generation.
He noted that the agency had developed technology with potential applications in abattoirs and related facilities, expressing readiness to support its deployment and ensure effective implementation of the agreed targets.
The DG promised to fully support the technical implementation of the project, describing the partnership as an opportunity to address environmental and public health challenges linked to abattoir operations.
Mustapha said that converting organic waste into biogas provides an alternative source of energy while curbing indiscriminate waste disposal and pollution around abattoirs.
He stated that the initiative would promote the productive use of waste materials, contributing to cleaner environments and more sustainable management of abattoir facilities.
The initiative is expected to create opportunities for local production, installation and maintenance of biogas equipment, while promoting resource recovery and sustainable waste management practices.
It also underscored the potential of biotechnology in addressing environmental challenges while supporting renewable energy development and economic opportunities in Nigeria.
