By Adeola Ajakaiye, in Kano
Kano State government has entered into a public private partnership agreement with Capegate Investment Company Limited in what is seen as a move to effectively manage the mounting waste products being generated in the state daily, in accordance with global best practice.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje made the disclosure, while flagging-off the ‘Keep Kano Clean Week’, at Jakara Mega Drainage, which goes through Kurmi market to Koki area to Kwakwaci, behind the old Triumph Newspapers Company.
“As we introduced this exercise two days back, and with the flag-off event taking place now in Jakara area, we are assuring the people of Kano State that, henceforth, waste management in the state will now be very effective and efficient.
“We are engaging the services of a private company on a public private partnership agreement. We are now fully into the waste to wealth period, where our waste will now be an avenue for wealth creation; with other attendant benefits, like improvement of electricity supply in the state, through the use of waste,” Ganduje added.
After encouraging the public to always keep healthy environment, he reminded the gathering that, “Even in Islam, sanitation is of significant benefit and each and every muslim is encouraged to always keep healthy environment”.
He also urged people around Jakara mega drainage to desist from dumping refuse in the drainage, warning that such an act, “Will continue to cause serious flooding”. He added that the exercise will be a continuous one, especially now that the state was partnering with a private company.
Instead of waste wreaking havoc on the health condition of communities, this time around, according to the governor, “Waste will be managed very well, for wealth creation. But this cannot be achieved fully without the cooperation of those people around these areas.
“It is therefore absolutely important to get the understanding and cooperation of our people. So community members should always cooperate to get things done properly,” he said.
Earlier, Kabiru Ibrahim Getso, commissioner for the environment, commended the governor for the foresight and informed him that community members in the area have expressed their happiness for the Keep Kano Clean exercise.
“Your Excellency, even the divisional police officer (DPO) of Jakara division, informed me that, when the rainy season comes and when it rains, all the station becomes saturated by flood. But with this event, he said things will be alright either during the rainy season or dry season,” Getso reveals.
Governor Ganduje used the occasion to promise the completion of the road from Goron Dutse Junction/Aminu Kano Way to Jakara, called Sheik Mahmud Salga Road, that was abandoned during the administration of former governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso.
He said: “This important road we have just followed, I promise that it will be completed without any waste of time. In fact, I have just spoken with my commissioner for works, to go back to his office and dust the file for the road contract and see what really happened.
“But I am assuring you that the road will be completed. We will do everything possible to complete it,” he concluded.
