WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY: HOW TECH-SAVVY GOVERNOR OBASEKI IS LEADING CAMPAIGN TO ‘BEAT’ PLASTIC POLLUTION IN EDO
All around us today in Nigeria, the menace of plastic and aluminum can wastes stare us directly in the face, oftentimes posing serious floods and drainage problems, aside from other environmental hazards.
In Edo State in particular, these plastics and aluminum cans washed or indiscriminately disposed of by citizens have constituted an immense threat to the functionality of stormwater infrastructure, moats and other drainage systems.
Rising to this challenge, the Edo State Government, through the World Bank-assisted project (NEWMAP) has evolved the e-TRASH Program, a novel initiative to check such wastes to encourage citizens to redeem these categories of wastes from the environment.
The e-TRASH is currently being deployed across various communities of intervention by the Edo State Flood, Erosion, and Watershed Management Agency (EdoFEWMA), which was created by the State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki in July 2021, following the successes recorded through the World Bank-assisted NEWMAP, which came to a close in June-2022 after a ten-year impactful period in the State.
It is the first of its kind in Nigeria that utilizes innovative technology in protecting the Environment. eTRASH stands for electronic Transaction in waste Resources for all Users and Households. It involves working with all Stakeholders in the entire waste-to-wealth value chain to eliminate plastic and aluminum waste from our environment in order to protect our critical stormwater infrastructure, the environment, natural resources, and the health and wellbeing of the people. The eTRASH is anchored on an App called PikAmSel.
The scheme is an end-to-end digital system with automatic management of associated reward system, offering instant reward via direct bank transfer, Telephone Airtime crediting, and gifting of accumulated points to a third party via a mass participatory Redemption scheme.
The scheme is designed to be flexible and adaptable and is helping, in no small measures, at managing plastic pollution across Edo State. It is flexible and adaptable and expandable to other sub nationals in Nigeria, across Africa and internationally.
*HOW DOES IT WORK?*
Download the app PikAmSelat https://pikamsel.com/ or from the Google play store or Apple play store and complete the required information. You will then receive the unique ID. Login to locate the nearest eTRASH redemption center or Agent usually within your neighbourhood.
Take your already segregated plastic waste or aluminum cans to a redemption center with the logo where it is weighed and logged against your ID. You will then get an instant transaction.
Based on the weight of the waste materials, points are allocated to your wallet on the app.
You can decide to redeem your points for cash, airtime, or gifts to a 3rd party, and other milestone rewards.
The reward system by eTRASH will help promote a culture of proper waste segregation by individuals as well as proper disposal and management of plastic waste in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Since its launch in January 2023 and deployment only within the five pilot catchments/sites of intervention of NEWMAP, a total of 23.2 square kilometers, the PikAmSel App has 30 registered redemption agents and 42 users. It has demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in significantly reducing plastic and aluminum waste in Edo State by over 3,298kg. The projection is to register 1000 users redeeming a minimum of 100,000kg monthly translating to a total livelihood enhancement/value of not less than US$50,000.00
This initiative is in tune with the digital savvy of Mr. Governor and another innovate solution of NEWMAP, a World Bank-assisted project in Nigeria.
Help prevent plastic and aluminum wastes from clogging our drains and earn income, while helping to keep our environment clean.
For further information call 08173750000 or visit our website www.pikAmSel.com or pikamsel.edostate.gov.ng
