The Deputy Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Nigeria, Mr. Peter Keulers, has affirmed his country’s commitment to fostering bilateral relationship with Abia State, particularly in the areas of Waste management, Circular Economy and Renewable Energy.
Speaking during a visit to Governor Alex Otti, on Wednesday, alongside the Management Team of Kaltani Company, at Nvosi Isialangwa South LGA, Mr. Keulers noted that the circular economy is a priority for the Netherlands, as it promotes sustainability, resource efficiency, and job creation.
He highlighted the economic opportunities and employment potential inherent in circular economy initiatives adding that it would lead to a more resilient economy with reduced waste and pollution while maximizing the use of scarce resources.
“Circular economy is a topic that is very close to the heart of our Government. We are trying to be net zero in 2050. Promoting circular economy makes a lot of sense and circular economy has many advantages.
“It will lead to a more sustainable and resilient economy with less waste and less pollution even leda to a more efficient use of resources that are often scarce.
“It will also engender proper quality of life. It will create all kinds of economic opportunities and jobs in the future “, the Deputy Consul stated.
According to Mr. Keulers, the delegation was on a scoping mission to engage with the State Government, Private Sector, and Research Institutions to explore the deployment of Dutch technology and expertise to achieve both commercial and policy objectives.
“We are here to promote bilateral-economic plans and we have done a couple of things in circular economy. That is at the policy level to create business cooperation.
“At policy level we were also together with the colleagues at the EU and with the circular business platform”, he said.
Mr Keulers expressed satisfaction with the progress made on the proposed Kaltani Waste Management Facility, a Waste Management Company working with the Abia State Government, pointing out that the State has attracted international attention from foreign diplomats and businesses.
Also, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kaltani Company, Mr. Charles Nnanna, expressed his company’s commitment to partnering the State Government on its waste-to-wealth initiative.
Mr Nnanna who noted that he is excited to work with the present administration to achieve its vision for the State, added they are are fully committed to waste collection and recycling efforts, with a focus on job creation and environmental sustainability.
“We intend to galvanise waste, create jobs, and address multiple layers of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” he added.
Responding, Governor Otti reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to Environmental Sanitation and sustainable Waste Management and emphasized the transformation Abia State has undergone since May 2023.
The Governor said that Abia was once ranked as the dirtiest state in Nigeria but had since made significant strides in cleanliness and urban development.
He added that with the initial cleanup efforts yielding positive results, the State Government is now shifting focus to Waste conversion and sustainability.
He further revealed that his administration had started work with UN-Habitat to develop a new master plan for Aba and Umuahia, drawing inspiration from the original colonial-era urban planning.
He disclosed that his administration is collaborating with Kaltani Company on a waste-to-wealth initiative that will transform waste into valuable products adding that the Government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the waste-to-energy initiative.
“Our goal is not just to manage our waste efficiently but to get to a point where we can buy waste from neighboring states to sustain our energy and recycling projects”, the Governor said.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Mr. Ikechukwu Monday, encouraged the Netherlands delegation to consider investing in waste-to-energy conversion, adding that Abia is among the five states selected for the circular economy program financed by the European Union.
