5 January 2009
The Kano State government on Saturday assured that it would support the establishment of pollution treatment plant in the state to tackle the menace of environmental pollution caused by industries.
A statement from UNIDO in Abuja quoted the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Kano, Alhaji Muktar Danbatta, as giving the assurance in Kano at the inauguration of the Committee to actualise UNIDO's mission in the state.
The members of the committee inaugurated are representatives of the ministry of Kano state Ministries of Environment and that of Commerce and Industry, UNIDO, Federal College of Chemical and Leather Technology (CHELTECH), Zaria.
Others are Nigerian Tanners Council and National Environmental Standard and Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
The committee was given March 2009 to come up with its recommendations on the modalities of setting up the secondary effluence treatment plants.
UNIDO is expected to give technical assistance in the areas of preparation of documents for the project, provide equipment specifications and training.
Danbatta said that the purpose of the committee was to look at the basic problems associated with effluence waste within the industrial sector of Kano and to give it the required treatment.
He noted that previous studies conducted by both the environmental pollution and the federal ministry of environment and a private consulting firm were not attended to.
"This may be due to diminishing interests over the years or due to transition of administrations," he said.
Danbatta, however, assured members of the committee that the Kano state government would do everything possible to ensure the realisation of the objectives of the project. "The Kano state government has indicated its willingness to assist this committee to achieve its target.
"I personally, I have all the confidence that the committee will come up with a very sound report at the end of March, 2009, he said.
Responding, a member of the Committee, Alhaji Muktar Abubakar, a Director of the ministry of industry, said:
"I feel delighted at this project as it will not only help industrial development but it will also help to clean Kano state. "I assure that members are equal to the task and we hope to come up with recommendations that help to achieve the objectives," he said.
The Chairman of the Committee, Alhaji Mustapha Mohammed, Director, Pollution Control Department,said the task before the committee " is gigantic" .
According to him, the committee has limited time to submit its reports and members are expected to be punctual at every meeting. "Time is more important than money. We have to commit ourselves to this task and adhere strictly to the terms of reference.
"If we fail, posterity will not forgive us," he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Terms of Reference of the Committee are to identify the levels and volume of effluent discharged, to look at previous reports conducted.
Others are to map out sharing responsibilities between different stakeholders, source for fund for the project and identify and propose site for the secondary treatment plant.
(NAN)
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