NIGERIA – The Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has announced plans to launch a biogas plant at the Ketu-Ikosi fruit market.
This development aims to turn organic waste from the market into sustainable energy and fertilizers, marking a significant step towards sustainable waste management in Lagos.
The announcement was made by Mr. Abimbola Ajayi, LAWMA’s Assistant Director for Waste-to-Energy, during a recent clean-up event at the market organized by the FABE Foundation.
In collaboration with Prudential Zenith Life Assurance, the Foundation educated traders on the importance of waste segregation for biogas production.
Ajayi outlined that the groundbreaking ceremony for the biogas plant is scheduled for December 2024, with the plant expected to be operational by June 2025.
He noted that the facility would use residual food and fruit waste to provide up to 29 megawatts of electricity to power key areas of the market, such as the loading bay.
The project is part of a broader effort by LAWMA to promote sustainable waste management through waste-to-energy initiatives.
Ajayi also emphasized that organic waste segregation at the market will support the plant’s operations. Plans are underway to provide a cold storage facility to help traders preserve their produce.
FABE Foundation CEO Mrs. Temitope Okunnu urged traders to segregate their waste actively and generate biogas by using an existing biodigester at the market.
“Our mission is clear,” she stated, “We want to empower the market community to become advocates of change by demonstrating the value of fruit waste in producing biogas and compost.”
She highlighted that traders can produce electricity and cooking gas from organic waste through waste segregation, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources.
The Foundation’s ongoing “Project Clean Air” initiative, which aims to transform illegal dump sites into eco-gardens using compost from market waste, complements the biogas plant project.
Mrs. Charisse Ige, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer at Prudential Zenith Life Assurance, described the company’s sponsorship as part of its commitment to sustainability.
“Sustainability is a core part of Prudential’s strategy across Asia and Africa. Partnering with Project Clean Air aligns with our mission to reduce carbon footprints and promote cleaner environments,” Ige said.
Market Secretary-General Mr. Shola Olokungboye emphasized the traders’ commitment to environmental cleanliness, noting that the market has an established environmental sanitation team and daily waste collection support from LAWMA.
“We recognize the importance of environmental health and are grateful for initiatives like this clean-up, which enhance the market’s cleanliness,” Olokungboye commented.
The LAWMA biogas plant project reflects Lagos State’s dedication to sustainable energy solutions and waste reduction, aligning with broader state and environmental objectives.
LAWMA and its partners aim to foster a cleaner, more sustainable future for Lagos and set a model for waste-to-energy solutions across Nigeria through this initiative.
Sign up to receive our email newsletters with the latest news updates and insights from Africa and the World HERE
