The Lagos State Government and the C40 Cities is set to hand over Ikosi Fruit market Biodigester Plant for the conversion of generated organic waste into energy.
Speaking during the Launch and Handing over ceremony, held at the Ketu Fruit Market, the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab said that the facility is a resounding success for the Ikosi community, the State and for generations to come.
He said Lagos State and C40 cities is not commissioning a facility but unveiling a vision on how Lagos can turn the everyday challenges into powerful opportunities, saying the Biogas Plant represents a bold step in re-imagining waste, not as a burden, but as a valuable resource that can drive sustainability, resilience and inclusive growth.
He emphasized that the bio-gas would be used for electricity and cooking gas while the high-quality organic fertilizer can be packaged and sold back to the local farmers in order to strengthen the resilience of the food system by improving the soils, closing the nutrient loop and promoting sustainable agriculture.
He added that the facility will systematically collect the market’s organic waste and feed it into an anaerobic digester saying in this controlled environment, natural bacteria will break down the waste without oxygen to produce biogas, and in doing so will carry out a remarkable process of biological transformation that yields two invaluable products, biogas and biofertilizer.
According to him, “the project goes far beyond Ikosi. It reflects a much bigger ambition for Lagos State. The initiative is being implemented in partnership with C40 Cities and UK International Development under the Climate Action Implementation programme”.
“Through this collaboration, Lagos continues to show leadership by translating international climate commitments into practical, community-level action” he added.
Wahab said the Biogas Plant is more than machinery and pipes but it is a symbol of transformation adding that the launch affirms a simple but powerful truth which states that the future of sustainable cities is built not only in boardrooms and policy documents, but right in the markets, communities and in the daily activities of all.
He explained that the Ikosi fruit market on a daily basis generates tons of organic waste from fruit peels to vegetable trimmings to unsold produce just like many markets across the state, saying these materials have traditionally ended up in landfills or open dumps.
He added that the wastes clogged the drains, creates unpleasant odours, pose serious health risks and added to the growing waste problem in the city saying when these wastes decompose, it releases methane, a highly potent greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to climate change and also degrades the environment and undermines public health.
He said the project has transformed a long-standing problem into a practical solution instead of rotting in dumps adding that organic waste from this market will now be converted into clean, sustainable biogas for cooking and electricity.
He added that it will produce nutrient-rich organic fertilizer that can be used on the farms, saying this is a circular economy in action and includes closing the loop, reducing emissions, creating value and improving livelihoods.
The Commissioner said while the world debates climate change in conference halls, Lagos is implementing real solutions on the ground in the markets and in the neighbourhoods.
