Akwa Ibom State Seeks Investors to Convert Waste into Wealth

The Akwa Ibom State government in Nigeria is actively seeking partnerships with investors and organizations to convert the state's environmental challenges into a sustainable and profitable waste-to-wealth economy. Governor Umo Eno announced this initiative in Uyo during a media interaction marking his third anniversary in office.

Governor Eno voiced concern about the state's environmental condition, noting that despite substantial funding allocated to the Akwa Ibom State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency, results have been limited. He has instructed the agency to actively seek companies capable of helping the state manage its waste effectively and turn it into a valuable resource. "The day we find that company and partner with them, you will not see waste again in our state," Eno stated, emphasizing the potential for transformation.

While addressing the waste management issue, Governor Eno also cautioned against indiscriminate refuse dumping and stressed the importance of public education on proper waste disposal. He also highlighted his administration's achievements in infrastructure development, particularly in road construction. According to Eno, his government has completed over 1,348 kilometers of roads in the state within the past three years.

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I have directed the State Environmental Protection and Waste Management Agency to let us get a company that can help us work to turn this waste into wealth. The day we find that company and partner with them, you will not see waste again in our state.

Eno presented this figure as a significant accomplishment, especially when compared to the federal government's road construction efforts. He noted that while the federal government has constructed approximately 2,700 kilometers of roads during the same period, the state's achievement of 1,348 kilometers demonstrates substantial progress. "Even the federal government, which is fixing 2,700 kilometers, checked the president’s broadcast. And if the federal government has done 2,700 and the subnational is doing and has completed 1,348 kilometers, that subnational should be celebrated," he remarked.

The governor acknowledged that no single government can complete all road projects, as new ones continually emerge. However, he assured that his administration is prioritizing economically viable roads and that road contracts have been awarded in every local government area within the state, emphasizing the verifiability of these projects.

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Gentlemen, we have fixed 1,348 kilometers of roads in this state. Even the federal government, which is fixing 2,700 kilometers, checked the president’s broadcast. And if the federal government has done 2,700 and the subnational is doing and has completed 1,348 kilometers, that subnational should be celebrated.