NEDC Trains 100 Youths on Waste Recycling in Bauchi

The North-East Development Commission (NEDC), on Monday, began a 5-day training of 100 youths on waste recycling and enterprising skills in Bauchi State.

The training was a collaboration between the commission and the Bauchi state government through the state's Ministry of Environment.

Speaking during the opening ceremony in Bauchi, Mr Mohammad Ibrahim, the Trainees Supervisor of NEDC waste to wealth training, said the aim of the exercise among others is to train and empower the teaming youths in the area of waste management so as to know the basic techniques involved on how these waste could be converted to wealth.

He added that at the end of the day, it would serve as a source of employment, which will ultimately improve their living standards and boost the economy of the state in general.

Also, Mr Ahmed Sabo, the Lead Consultant of the training, explained that the participants were drawn from the various sectors of the economy.

"We have 50 trainers. These are people who have some high level of training on environmental management. So, we picked them to be the trainers.

"The scavengers are people who normally roam around, visiting the dump sites to pick objects. We got a lot of information about them from the Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency, so we were able to identify them and invited them for this training.

"We have 100 scavengers and 50 trainers, making a total of 150 participants in this exercise," he said.

In his address, the Director General, Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), Mr Ibrahim Kabir, appreciated NEDC for collaborating with the state government in organising the training.

He said that about 79 per cent of the wastes in Bauchi state are recyclable which could be converted to useful items.

"As far as Bauchi state is concerned, we are committed to ensure that the issue of waste management are resolved," said the DG.

He stated that what gingered the NEDC and the Bauchi state government was the inclination to solve the problems of waste in the state and at the same time engage in the concept of waste to wealth.

This, he said, would further improve the economy, create job opportunities and empower the teaming youths willing to engage in the sector in the state.