Dare Babalola
The Lagos State Government has disclosed that it will roll out biodigester projects in markets across the state, inspired by the success of the Ikosi-Ketu model.
The state, in a statement by Mukaila Sanusi, Director Public Affairs, Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), said the project is part of efforts to promote sustainable waste management and advance the circular economy.
Sanusi quoted, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, to have said this during the official launch of the Ikosi-Ketu Biodigester Project.
The MD described it as a model for treating organic market waste at source and reducing dependence on landfills.
He explained that Ikosi-Ketu Market generated an average of 30 tonnes of waste daily, about 90 per cent of which was organic, making it suitable for biodigestion, adding that the project demonstrated how market waste could be converted into clean energy and other valuable by-products.
Dr. Gbadegesin stated that markets are significant contributors to organic waste generation in Lagos.
He noted that replicating the biodigester model would help mitigate indiscriminate dumping, reduce waste evacuation costs, alleviate pressure on landfills, and enhance environmental sanitation.
The MD added that the initiative aligned with the state’s circular economy agenda, producing clean cooking gas, electricity, and organic fertiliser while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating flooding risks.
The LAWMA boss stated that market stakeholders had been trained to operate the facility, assuring that the Authority would continue to provide technical support as similar projects are deployed across other markets in the state.
