The Borno Government is seeking private-sector investment and strategic partnerships to strengthen waste recycling, create employment opportunities, and boost economic activity by converting waste into valuable products.
Dr Abubakar Sulaiman, General Manager, Borno State Environmental Protection Agency (BOSEPA), disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Maiduguri.
Sulaiman said waste management presents economic opportunities that could be harnessed through recycling, processing, and converting discarded materials into useful products.
He explained that properly sorting and processing waste could support the production of charcoal and other by-products, while creating opportunities for waste collectors, recyclers, transporters and small-scale entrepreneurs.
According to him, investment in waste-processing facilities and modern equipment would help the state manage increasing volumes of waste generated by its growing population.
He identified inadequate funding, limited equipment and the high cost of diesel as major challenges affecting effective waste collection and processing.
The BOSEPA general manager said the challenges required innovative approaches and collaboration among the government, private investors, universities, communities and other stakeholders.
He noted that investment in recycling infrastructure, including sorting centres, collection vehicles and processing machines, could improve operational efficiency and establish a more sustainable waste-management system.
Sulaiman said the agency had been implementing aspects of its waste-management initiative since 2020, with efforts to promote recycling, environmental awareness and community participation.
He disclosed that more than 500 women and children had received training as part of efforts to build practical skills and encourage participation in waste-management activities.
He said expanding the initiative could provide additional livelihood opportunities, particularly for youths and women, while reducing indiscriminate waste disposal and environmental pollution.
Sulaiman called for greater public cooperation in maintaining clean surroundings and adopting proper waste-disposal practices.
He stressed that sustained investment, public awareness and effective partnerships would be essential to developing a viable recycling sector capable of generating economic value from waste.
He added that turning waste into useful products would support environmental protection and sustainable development in the state.
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