An American company, Green Environmental Services of America (GESA) and the America Green Environmental Solution Nigeria Limited (AGEGS) have concluded arrangements to invest a sum of $450millon into Osun state economy through waste management programme. The company which signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the state government on Monday in Osogbo said the waste management programme is a conversion of waste to wealth service.
Speaking at the event, the president of the company, Mr Patrick Onyeije explained that the first phase of the projects would cost $250 million, assuring that the company was ready to commence operation soonest. Onyeije who was represented by one of the top officials of the company, Major Samuel Adewumi (rtd) said the waste management programme would create about 5000 jobs in the state, thereby reducing unemployment.
He maintained that the programme would improve the economy of the state as waste will be collected from homes and recycled for valuable products such as tissue papers, plastics and organic manure (fertilizer) for farmers.
“The waste management service would create jobs, expand the economy, create a new dynamic economy in tourism and as well keep the environment clean”, said Onyeije.
Onyeije explained that every household in the state would get containers from AGEGS for different waste items, adding that the containers would be picked on designated days of the week and may include weekends as the need may arise. He said, “Today marks a new beginning as we take the solemn commitment to protect our environment. We have to do our little best not to litter the streets but to recycle everything coming out of our homes and working places.
“On behalf of Green Environmental Services of America (GESA) and America Green Environmental Global Solution Nigeria Limited (AGEGS), we say a big thank you to the government of the state of Osun.”
In his remarks, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the partnership was to complement his administration’s efforts in keeping the environment clean, safe, green and sustainable. Aregbesola said his administration has never failed in its responsibilities of making Osun the safest state in Nigeria through its consciousness to environmental preservation and maintenance. The governor noted that in spite of the present economic challenges confronting the state, what cannot be taken away from his administration is the commitment to the environment.
He said that there has been an improvement from what his administration met as regards environmental management; a development he said has made Osun be one of the states not affected by flood in the country.
