The Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in Collaboration with the Cross River State Government has flagged-off a natural waste to wealth programme, using appropriate technologies.

The programme was commissioned by the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, at Idundu Industrial Layout, recently in Calabar where the dumpsite is domiciled.

In his address, Onu stated that the waste-to-wealth programme is systemic, technology-driven and is sustainable for waste management to create employment, wealth and change the livelihood of its citizens.

The Programme, according to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Minister, Mr. Taye Akinyemi, will be implemented to help Nigeria restore her pride as Africa’s most populous nation, where the place of science and technology innovation will be strengthened in the search for a new beginning, to boost the economy, lead the nation from a resource based to a knowledge and innovation driven economy.

Also, the programme will enable Nigerians to convert waste to valuable goods and services that will help create wealth, more jobs, reduce poverty, defeat hunger and help stimulate national consciousness in the power of science and technology as an important instrument for national rebirth.

He assured Nigerians that the APC-led Federal Government of President Muhammadu Buhari is committed to doing all that is necessary in the best interest of the nation to accelerate the pace of national development.

In his remarks, the Governor of Cross River State, Professor Benedict Ayade, represented by his deputy, Professor Ivara Esu, expressed his excitement that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology is bringing this laudable project to Calabar, as a pilot state in which the waste-to-wealth programme has been launched.

He acknowledged that the programme is desirable and will also serve in producing products such as bio-gas, organic waste and feeds for aquatic culture in Calabar.

He appealed to the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology to beef-up the budget for the waste-to-wealth-programme for proper implementation.

In a related development, the Honourable Minister, while commissioning NOTAP/PZ upgraded Chemistry laboratory at the University of Calabar, commended the efforts of PZ Cussons Nigeria Limited in partnering with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology in upgrading the Chemistry laboratory.

He further stated that the partnership is being strengthened for the purpose of cementing the link between research findings and industries in the country.

This, he said, is in line with the Federal Government’s resolve to strengthen the role of science and technology innovation to defeat hunger, create jobs stimulate growth in our national and reawaken our national pride.

He affirmed his commitment and resolve to work hard to bridge technology gaps and strengthen the role which science and technology should play in our search for a sustainable and diversified economy.