Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has signed two Memoranda of Understanding, MoUs, for the development of a $300 million waste-to-wealth 200 megawatts, MW, power plant, smart e-mobility, 20 tons of carbon capture and storage, and other innovations.
The MoUs, signed by the Rivers State government with Intec Group Germany and Omene Group of Companies, among other things, are designed to convert wastes to wealth, generate electricity, boost employment opportunities as well as increase the State’s revenue base.
Governor Fubara, represented by the Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dagogo Israel Iboroma, assured to promote, strengthen and implement the use of artificial intelligence in waste management to maximise its economic potentials for the benefit of Rivers people.
He said: “Today, we have signed two MoUs between the Rivers State Government and Omene Nigeria Limited, essentially to manage waste, convert waste to wealth and create massive employment for Rivers people. Waste management has been a sour point on the people and the environment worldwide, and Rivers State is not an exception.
“The Rivers State Government spends millions of Naira for waste collation and disposal, with no significant result but by these memos, there is a leap forward.”
The governor expressed delight at the collaboration, saying that the benefit of the waste-to-wealth project will grow the state’s economy, create jobs for the teeming youths, keep the state clean and peaceful, and generate 200 Megawatts electricity daily in addition to 20 tons of carbon capture, which will be traded as Carbon Credit.
He expressed optimism that there would be no hitches in the collaboration and execution of the project, adding that the State will be the first in Nigeria to successfully achieve a waste-to-wealth project with modern technology.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Omene Group, Prince Franklin Omene, said that the company will be working with other foreign investors to convert waste to wealth.
Omene, while appreciating Governor Fubara, for making the investment possible, said converting waste to wealth is what his company is known for all over the world, stressing that Intec Group, as a reliable group of companies, will help realize the project for State and its environs.
Also speaking, a representative of the German-based Intec Group, Srinibach Dora Tepal, thanked the Rivers State Government for creating an enabling environment for investors, noting that although the project was at no cost to the Government of Rivers State, they have built a smart business model to ensure productive and speedy transformation of the state.
