IWMI advocates for exploration of potentials in bio-economy in Adamawa
Obinna Ubani, Yola
The International Water Management Institute(IWMI) has advocated the exploitation of potential in bio-economy to combat environmental degradation and climatic challenges as well as drive economic activities in Adamawa State.
The organization revealed its intention during a one-day Stakeholders Engagement Workshop on “Assessing the Investment Climate to promote Circular Bio-economy through Resource Recovery and Reuse Business in Nigeria” held at Madugu Rockview Hotel Yola.
The event which took place at Madugu Rockview Hotel brought together industry professionals, members of the academia, and government functionaries among others
Participants who aimed charting the cause of bio-economy held that, aside the potentials of bio-economy in driving economic activities, it also has the capacity to combat environmental challenges the country is facing.
Speaking during the event, the resource person Dr. Hasuruna Amos decried the indiscriminate felling of trees for firewood.
According to him, the act was not just harmful to those who use it for firewood, but the generality of the public. He said that the issue was critical, considering the fact that about 80 percent of residents depend on firewood either directly or indirectly, for energy ( cooking).
He further appealed to the state government to consider investing in bio-economy in providing alternative sources of energy as well as partnering with industry professionals to combat the harmful effect of climatic challenges and environmental degradation
In the same vein, Stakeholders at the workshop, expressed concern over the low rate of the activities of Resources Recovery and Re-use (RRR) in Adamawa State, blaming it on knowledge gap about RRR and paucity of fund.
They therefore, advocated for knowledge building through synergy among stakeholders and robust awareness creation.
Professor Kalep Fili of the Modibbo Adama University, MAU, Yola a participant at the workshop in an interview said that the gathering had the capacity of sparking off discussions that would help in harnessing the wealth in the bio-economy at the same time, addressing climatic and environmental challenges.
He appealed to the government as drivers of public policy, to see the need in investing in recycling of waste to save the environment.
Another participant, Mr Yohana Moses, Executive Director, Environmental Care Foundation and the C E O USSA Global Consult, who described bio-economy as an economic venture which has multiple impact on the economy also appealed to the government to develop a localized policy document peculiar to the state in driving the activities of Resources- Recovery and Re- use (RRR).
He further appealed to the government to provide financial support in form of loans and other incentives to strengthen the bio-economy business in the state.
Yerima Sunday, a participant, said that it was high time the government and members of public understood that no waste was a waste anymore. He said that the waste they see around today is wealth in disguise waiting to be harnessed.
Mustapha Ali Gana Manager at Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria who was also represented by Ibrahim Hada Hamal and Director, Planing, Research and Statistics, Ministry of Environment Mr Adamu Abubakar in their goodwill messages promised to support the institute to achieve its objectives.
Recently, the Adamawa State government has banned felling of trees for firewood blaming deforestation as the cause of flooding in the state.
According to Fintiri, “We have reached the firm decision that there should be no felling of trees or production of charcoal. All of us are expected to play our part to ensure that the law against tree cutting, which we have not been implementing, is now strictly implemented.
“We must all do what we need to do in our respective capacities in this direction. We have to encourage our people to turn to sustainable alternatives to charcoal.”
