The Kaduna State Government has engaged the services of Cape Gate Investment Company Limited as a new service provider saddled with the responsibility for Solid Waste Management in the State as a whole, following expiration of the contract awarded to ZL Global Alliance on 31st December, 2018.
In her remarks during the contract signing, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources Hon. Amina Dyeris Sijuwade stated that, for the past three years, the State Government had engage the services of ZL Global Alliance as the State’s Solid Waste Management Consultant. The contract has expired on 31st December 2018, and right now there is a transition from the previous contractor (ZL Global Alliance) to Cape Gate Investment Company Limited with effect from 2nd January, 2019. The Ministry has to address the challenges experienced in solid waste management as the project is very sensitive and directly affects the health and wellbeing of the residents of Kaduna State.
Therefore, in its efforts to improve the wellbeing and cleanliness of our Environment, the Kaduna State Government has decided to bring in new contractor (Cape Gate Investment Company Limited) whom it believes has wealth of experience and good track record in Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and other States, to take over the project. The company has gradually rolled out its service plans for the three cities of Kaduna Kafanchan and Zaria (KKZ), she said.
The Honourable Commissioner further stated that, the target of the new contractor (Cape Gate Investment Company) at this moment is primarily to get the three metropolitan Cities of Kaduna, Kafanchan and Zaria clean. As part of the contract agreement, the company will be covering four main areas: Evacuation of all wastes to the official dump sites, Street cleaning and sweeping, making sure that all the Lots/Routs are clean, vegetation control and desilting of drains.
Since its mobilisation to site, the Ministry realized that Kaduna city is gradually getting cleaner and have seen evidence of very motivated staff out in the field cleaning and sweeping the streets as well as clearing of illegal communal dumps. This shows that we are going to have a much healthier and sanitary city. Therefore better days are yet to come.
The Commissioner informed the contractor that, Kaduna State Government has a plastics recycling plant which was set up by the Federal Ministry of Environment but has not been in operation. In addition contract was awarded for the purchase and installation of Double Blown Plastics Machine which is yet to be completed. Therefore, plans are in top gear to complete and revive the plant this year to enable the contractor commence waste to wealth in the second phase of the waste management programme. It should be noted that, the company has already commenced mopping up the plastics bottles, nylon bags and discarded tyres that are littered in Kaduna at no cost to the State Government.
The Ministry is looking at expanding the network of collection points in order to address the emergence of communal dumps in the cities. Already, 20 tones and 150 number of 5 tones Roro bins were distributed both in high density and commercial areas of Kaduna metropolis in 2018, which has helped in bringing collection points closer to the residents and reduced the practice of indiscriminate dumping of waste. The Ministry in collaboration with Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS) has written to the owners of the plots where these communal dumps emerge on people’s undeveloped plots reminding them of the law that prohibits use of plots as illegal dump site, and failure to comply may result to revocation. In the same vain, the Ministry has requested community leaders to caution their subjects about the law and the possible implications of violation.
In his remarks the Managing Director Cape Gate Investment Company Limited Alhaji Bashir Namadina said, the company’s vision is not only to make profit, but also to address the general climate related problems that existed for many years in the State as a whole. The company is ready to do the right thing at the right time as already indicated during many fora and meetings that, by the grace of God Kaduna will become the cleanest city in Nigeria within the next six months. That is our vision. ”Cape Gate Investment Company is in Kaduna to improve Solid Waste Management by bringing in new modalities in order to improve service delivery. Cape Gate Investment Company will take the services to the next level by Gods willing”.
The Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Muhammad Mahmud Shu’aibu appreciated the support and cooperation accorded to ZLGA by the general public and urged them to accord same to the new contractor. Cape Gate Investment Company Limited will soon start waste recycling by producing biofuel, fertilizer, electricity etc. He called on the general public to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse in their neighbourhoods and ensure they always use designated collection centres to avoid spread of diseases among other problems.
In conclusion, the Permanent Secretary urged the people of Kaduna State to support the efforts of the State Government in all its developmental programmes.
Honourable Commissioner Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Amina Dyeris Sijuwade handing over the contract agreement on Solid Waste Management in Kaduna State to MD Cape-Gate Investment Company Limited Alhaji Bashir Namadina.
