The Adamawa State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Bank for the construction of a recycling plant in Yola, aimed at addressing plastic pollution in the state.
The Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources Development, Mr. Muhammed Muhammad disclosed this during an interview with journalists on Friday in Yola.
According to Muhammad, the recycling facility will play a crucial role in ensuring a cleaner and healthier environment for residents.
“We have concluded plans to install a recycling plant that will harvest plastic waste across the state and convert it into useful products,” he said. “Some of the items to be recycled include chairs, beds, interlock tiles, among others.”
Initially planned for Gombi Local Government Area, the project was relocated to Yola due to poor road infrastructure and unstable electricity supply in the former location.
The commissioner also said the government was engaging with major beverage companies, including Adamawa Beverages and Coca-Cola, to promote the transition from plastic to paper-based packaging.
“We are encouraging manufacturers to shift from plastic to eco-friendly materials in order to reduce environmental impact,” he said.
Muhammad further revealed that the ministry had begun registering and regulating waste management operators across the state to promote safe and responsible disposal practices. All waste handlers have been profiled and instructed to deposit waste only at officially approved sites.
He issued a warning against the use of children in waste collection and recycling, stressing that the government would not tolerate child labour in the sector.
Highlighting the ministry’s broader achievements, Muhammad noted the reintroduction of monthly sanitation exercises, a ban on indiscriminate tree felling, and the training of women in producing eco-friendly cooking briquettes.
He said the waste-to-wealth initiative reflects the commitment of the administration under Governor Ahmadu Fintiri to create a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable Adamawa.
NAN
