Agency woos Jigawa LGAs to invest in Waste to Wealth initiative

By: Ahmed Aminu, Dutse

The Managing Director of Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA), Malam Adamu Sabo has called on the 27 local government councils chairmen in the state to invest in the Waste to Wealth Initiative to tackle climate change and enhance environmental sustainability.

The managing director made the call in an interview with newsmen in Gumel shortly after the opening of a two day training of 160 women on waste recycling management.

The women were from six local government areas of the senatorial zone.

Sabo said the number of women who had indicated interest to receive the training was far higher than what was envisaged, as such local councils should sponsor women in their areas for the training.

“Initially, we proposed to train 600 women across the state, but after launching the project last Saturday, when people heard about the programme, its advantages and the gains attached to it, many women and youth became interested and have been trooping to us to be registered”.

He said that it would be good if the local councils will also key in.

According to him, the training of the 600 women in waste recycling was sponsored by Unicef in collaboration with Jigawa state government and Waste Pickers Association of Nigeria.

Sabo said that the training took place in Dutse, Kazaure, Gumel and Hadejia, with the participants demonstrating enthusiasm in learning the skill.

The JISEPA managing director said arrangement has been put in place to link the participants with market and organized them into cooperatives for easy access to raw materials and sustainable operation.

The Chairman of Gumel local government, Lawan Ya’u said converting waste into wealth will help in improving environmental hygiene, create jobs, and eradicate poverty.

Ya”u pledged that the local council will pay for the training of more women.