Abia Secures Netherlands Partnership For Waste Management Project
A delegation from the Kingdom of the Netherlands and officials of Kaltani Company have sealed a partnership with the Abia State Government to revolutionise waste management through recycling and energy generation.
Disclosing this on Thursday morning, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ukoha Ukoha, noted that the deal signed on Wednesday and formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will see Kaltani Company set up operations in the state and transform waste into valuable products, including energy solutions.
He said the Netherlands delegation, led by the Deputy Consul-General, Mr. Peter Keulers, met with Governor Alex Otti to discuss broader economic collaboration, particularly in waste-to-wealth initiatives and circular agriculture.
Governor Otti, emphasising his administration’s commitment to sustainable development during the signage, recalled that Abia was ranked Nigeria’s dirtiest state before he assumed office in 2023.
He noted that his government had since prioritised waste evacuation and sanitation, positioning the state as one of the cleanest in the country.
The next step, he stated, is converting waste into productive use, which aligns with his government’s strategy to boost environmental sustainability and job creation.
“What we have done is to evacuate the rubbish and put it somewhere. We are now moving to the next stage, which is: what do we do with those heaps of rubbish? Kaltani has provided a solution by converting them into products people can buy,” Otti explained.
A key aspect of the partnership includes leveraging waste for energy generation, a move the governor described as critical for Abia’s entrepreneurial landscape.
“The demand for power is inelastic, and you know how it is for people who are entrepreneurs, people who have capacity to produce anything, so these people require support from the government.
“For us, we believe that if we are able to provide enough power for our people, we would have solved half of the problems,” Otti stated.
The Netherlands delegation affirmed their commitment to exploring investment opportunities in Abia’s waste-to-energy sector.
“Mr Keulers highlighted the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ interest in circular economy projects, stating that they provide a sustainable model for resource management and economic growth.
“Circular economy will not only reduce waste and pollution but also create employment and new economic opportunities,” Keulers said.
Kaltani Company’s Managing Director, Engr. Obi Charles Nnanna, speaking at the signage, expressed optimism about the partnership, noting that the initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“His Excellency, Governor Alex Otti is a man of vision, a man who wants to create a lasting impact in the lives of Abians and we are happy to be part of that story. We are happy to support His Excellency’s government and vision.
“We intend to galvanise waste, we intend to create jobs, we intend to address multiple United Nations SDGs,” Nnanna stated.
Ukoha noted that the delegation visited key waste management sites, including recycling parks and landfills in Osisioma, dumpsites in Aba and Umuahia, and a transfer loading station in Umuahia.
“They are also scheduled to tour the Ulonna rubber plantation, Aba Textile Mill, and various recycling facilities across the state.
Abia Secures Netherlands Partnership For Waste Management Project is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
