PORT HARCOURT: SECURITY CUSTODIAL CENTRE CONVERTS HUMAN WASTE TO BIOGAS ENERGY

Rivers State hosted the Controller General of Nigerian Correctional Service, Ahmed Ja’afaru, on 17th November, 2020 for the commissioning of the joint Biogas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Operated Kitchen at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Port Harcourt.

The project which is emplaced to migrate the Maximum Security Custodial Center from the use of firewood to Biogas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas, is inline with best global practice for contemporary public health in penitentiary environments, encourage the use of natural gas in cooking and is designed to promote Government’s campaign against open defecation.

Itemising the Project Concept, Deputy Controller of Corrections incharge of Water, Sanitation and Renewable Energy, DCC Jatau Raymond, maintained that Africa and indeed the Nigerian Correctional Service achieved a breakthrough by successfully executing this project after the Rwandan example. He recalled how the International Committee of the Red Cross attempted to solve the wastewater problem in the Custodial Center since 2016 but could only do much within their capacity.

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He enumerated the advantages of the biogas plant which includes: waste to wealth, preservation of the forest/ Ecological green belt, reduction of expenditure in waste evacuation, production of alternative fertilizer for Correctional farms and the promotion of general sanity of the work place, which is consistent with the current Administration’s change agenda for Agricultural productivity and Sustainable Development Goals on Renewable Energy. He concluded by promising that with biogas, there shall no longer be evacuation and disposal of fecal matter by the Correctional Service, and no inmates or staff shall suffer undue health complication because of inhaling smoke in the kitchen again.

The Inmates were evidently excited when the Controller General announced a guideline on the operation of the biogas plant which included generation of revenue out of which the inmates involved in the management of the facility would earn up to N200,000 per month.

The inmates and indeed numerous guest who graced the occasion were full of praises and appreciation to the management for the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Federal Government, as the biogas kitchen is primarily to protect human health which is a fundamental right.

Commenting on the speed of cooking and the apparent transformation of the once unsightful Portharcourt Custodial Center to the current clean environment, the Comptrollers of Immigration, Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigrian Airforce and the Zonal Coordinator incharge of Zone ‘E’, ACG CVU Chiabua,fsi, all commended the Government for this unique and strange innovation which converts human waste to Energy, promising to propagate the idea for adoption in their domains.

Meanwhile the Consultant of the Biogas Facility, Ibukun Taiwo of Biofil Technologies Nigeria Limited, stated that it is estimated to produce about 24 cylinders of 12kg gas weight daily, and enjoined the custodial center to put it to use in the kitchen to give room for more biodegradation of waste feed coming into the digester.

Presenting the keynote address of the Controller General of Corrections, Deputy Controller General of Corrections, Abubakar Y Garba, mni, fsi, DCG(Works/Logistics)-CD, stated thus: “the most outstanding advantage of the project is its capacity to address the health challenges associated with the use of firewood in the preparation of inmates’ food, as well as saving the huge funds the federal government spends annually on the evacuation of sewage from the Custodial centres across the country’.

The CGCS further commends the Energy Commission of Nigeria, represented by Mr Dakari Mikaila, Director, Renewable Energy, Mr Emmanuel Awe, Director, Water Quality and Sanitation representing Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Water Resources; and Mr FB Ikomah, representing the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Environment, for coming all the way from Abuja, for this occasion and look forward to the actualisation of the pledges made to collaborate with the Nigerian Correctional Service in providing the Biogas Facility in other Custodial centres across the country.

Specifically, the CGC salutes the Honourable Minister of Environment who promised during the event, to undertake the construction of biogas facility in Medium Security, Custodial Center Kuje.

He further enjoined the officer in charge and Staff of Port Harcourt Maximum Security Custodial centre to ensure judicious use of the Biogas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas Operated installation to profit the Inmate, staff, neighbouring community and the Government. He also directed that “officers should always adhere to all rules on health protocols, while maintaining a firm focus on inmates Reformation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration for a crime free society”.

Highlights of the event was cutting of the Tape to officially open the kitchen for the use of Biogas Facility and the handing over of the Operational guidelines to the Zonal Coordiator, Zone ‘E’, Assistant Controller General of Corrections, CVU Chiabua, fsi for strict compliance.

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The Controller of Corrections, Rivers State Command, Alex Oditah, appreciated the CGCS for the laudable project in Rivers State and pledged his commitment to ensure the sustainable, judicious use of the Biogas and Liquefied Petroleum Gas operated facility.

In attendance were the Controllers’ of Corrections in Zone E including, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, and Imo states.

Service Commanders from the Military and Sister Agencies. Representatives of Energy Commission, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Environment.