Abia State Launches School Biogas Project to Advance Renewable Energy

The Abia State government has launched a pilot biogas project at a secondary school in Owerrinta, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area, as part of efforts to promote renewable energy and innovation.

Commissioner for Science, Technology and Innovation David Kalu announced the project in Umuahia during a briefing on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting.

He explained that the initiative was designed to test the viability, affordability and replicability of biogas technology in schools and other institutions across the state.

The pilot, which was recently installed, is expected to begin producing gas within four weeks.

“The idea is to determine whether it is easy to implement, cost-effective and acceptable to the school community,” Kalu said.

“If successful, it can be replicated in other schools and institutions across the state.”

He added that the government would assess feedback from the school before deciding on a wider rollout.

Kalu also addressed the Federal Government’s “Energised Commercialisation Now” initiative, which aims to promote research and innovation across the country.

He explained that the programme encourages states to identify viable research projects that can be recognised and commercialised nationally.

Abia has been directed to set up a committee of government, academic and industry representatives to coordinate the initiative in the state.

The committee is expected to draw members from Abia State University, Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic and Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, as well as private sector stakeholders.

Kalu noted that the committee would identify credible and commercially viable research projects for presentation at the federal level.

He averred that the state also plans to use the committee to develop a comprehensive research and innovation policy.

According to him, the policy will focus on research that meets the state’s needs, uses local resources and supports commercially viable innovation.

Commissioner for Information Okey Kanu explained that the biogas project was designed to show how renewable energy can be generated from organic waste in schools and other institutions.

He added that the project would also generate research data to support wider deployment across the state if it proves successful.

Kanu said the initiative fits into Abia’s broader science and technology framework and is intended to strengthen research and development.

He also noted that the state had secured approval to establish a committee to drive the Federal Government-inspired “Energised Commercialisation Now” programme.

The committee will include innovators, start-ups and researchers, and will help prepare market-ready innovations for presentation at the national level.

Kanu announced that the arrangement would deepen cooperation between academia, industry and government, while also encouraging youth and women participation.