By Talatu Maiwada
The Adamawa government has trained 100 members of cooperative societies on briquette compressed block production under the waste-to-wealth initiative.
Alhaji Hammajumba Gatugel, the state Commissioner for Entrepreneurship Development, disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the training in Yola.
According to him, the initiative is designed to empower the beneficiaries drawn from 10 Local Government Areas of the state to reduce poverty and enhance self-reliance.
“The initiative is a ‘waste-to-wealth’ intervention that promotes environmental protection by converting agricultural and biomass waste into alternative energy sources.
“I urge you to effectively utilise the skills acquired and step down the training in your respective local government areas, as you all can become employers of labour,” he said.
Gatugel reiterated the ministry’s readiness to supervise the beneficiaries, saying that starter packs would be provided to them, and warned against the sale of the items.
He commended Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri for establishing the ministry to drive training and empowerment programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of the people.
In his remarks, Mr Kwaji Duguri, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, said the training marked the end of an intensive capacity-building programme for the cooperative members of homegrown technology.
Duguri said the programme aligned with the Fintri-led administration’s commitment to empowering rural dwellers, diversifying sources of livelihood and supporting policies to curb deforestation.
“Currently, there is a series of policies in the state. One of which is to ban the cutting of trees.
“So, coming up with this alternative will help us to not only get cleaner sources of energy, but also reduce the cutting down of trees and protect our environment,” he said.
Hajiya Zainab Bode, the ministry’s Director of Cooperatives, said the training had equipped the beneficiaries with skills to produce, use and market biomass briquettes thereby creating jobs and wealth in rural communities.
She urged beneficiaries to step down the training at their respective cooperative societies.
Dr Rakiya Inuwa, who spoke on behalf of the cooperatives, thanked the state government for the training and pledged to make judicious use of the initiative to earn a living.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the event include cash presentation and distribution of briquette production machinery to the participants. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Nabilu Balarabe and Abdullahi Mohammed
