By Muhammad B Muhammad
Tearfund, a United Kingdom based Christian Relief and Development Agency in collaboration with other partners has launched ‘Trash to Cash Project’ in Adamawa state.
The 3 year project anchored by Yola Renewal Foundation is aimed at collecting and recycling plastic waste to stop it entering the river Benue and turn it into economic benefits for people living in poverty.
The community-based social enterprise at the first instance will directly benefit five communities in Yola North local government area that include Anguwan Tana, Bwarranji, Doubeli, Jambutu and Rumde.
Speaking at the launch, Tearfund Country Director, Paul Mershak said the agency works with more than 300 local partner organisations in over fifty countries globally.
He added that Tearfund focal areas in Nigeria are northeast, northcentral and northwest where it is providing technical assistance on economic and environmental sustainability.
“It is actively involved in providing technical assistance on sexual and gender based violence, peace building and humanitarian response for several years.
“This event is unique and historic for several reasons Chief among which are (a) the public presentation of the ‘Trash to Cash Project’ and the introduction of our implementing partner Yola Renewal Foundation.
“That in putting forth this path to recovery and transformation Yola Renewal Foundation is holding out a light of hope, recovery, healing and transformation for not only Adamawa state but also for Northeast Nigeria.
“We wish to thank the Adamawa State Government for receiving this project with so much enthusiasm. Tearfund is duly informed of how the Adamawa state ministry of environment through her personnel have been very helpful,” he said.
In his presentation christened ‘Trash to Cash: Turning Plastic Pollution into Economic Opportunity,’ Mr Mbila said there are 95000 waste generated in terms of plastics.
He added that the project which aimed at building the capacity of youths, targets collection of 377.5 tones of plastic waste at the end of the period thereby providing income to 3000 households among others.
There were goodwill messages from representatives of the state ministries of environment and education, Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency, National Orientation Agency, and UNHCR, among others.
The Chairman Yola Renewal Foundation, Professor Samuel Musa was optimistic that the programme will impact positively on the lives of the people adding that his team will not relent in the task ahead.
The district head of Jimeta Alhaji Inuwa Baba Paris who was represented at the event said 208 ward heads in the area will wholeheartedly support the initiative to achieve the purpose for which it was established.
Highlight of the event was documentary display on overview of plastic pollution in Yola and Jimeta as well as a ten minute playlet depicting the effects of plastic pollution in Yola.