Precious Anga
Lagos — The Abia State Government has unveiled a pilot biogas project at a secondary school in Owerrinta, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, as part of efforts to expand renewable energy use and promote local innovation.
Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation, David Kalu, disclosed the development in Umuahia while briefing journalists on decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting.
Kalu said the project is a homegrown renewable energy initiative designed to test whether biogas technology can be deployed practically, affordably and sustainably in schools and public institutions across the state.
According to him, the facility, which was recently installed in the school, is expected to begin gas production within the next four weeks.
“The idea is to determine whether it is easy to implement, cost-effective and acceptable to the school community. If successful, it can be replicated in other schools and institutions across the state,” he said.
He explained that the state government would assess feedback from the pilot scheme before taking a decision on a broader rollout.
Kalu also spoke on the Federal Government’s “Energised Commercialisation Now” programme, which seeks to promote research, innovation and the commercial application of viable ideas across Nigeria.
He said Abia had been directed to establish a committee made up of government officials, academics and industry players to coordinate the initiative in the state.
The committee, he noted, will draw membership from institutions including Abia State University, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, alongside private sector stakeholders.
According to the commissioner, the body will identify commercially viable research projects from across the state for possible national recognition and development.
He added that the state also plans to use the committee to develop a comprehensive research and innovation policy focused on solving local challenges, promoting the use of local resources and supporting commercially sustainable ideas.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, said the biogas project was created to demonstrate how organic waste can be converted into renewable energy within schools and similar institutions.
He added that beyond power generation, the initiative is expected to produce research data that could support future large-scale deployment across Abia State.
Kanu said the project aligns with the state government’s broader science, technology and innovation agenda aimed at strengthening research and development.
