A British company, Hinckley E-Waste Recycling, has committed to invest $5 million in a battery recycling and electrinics plant to be established in Ogun State.
It is expected that the plant will rid the environment of electronic waste, enhance knowledge and promote technology transfer.
Briefing newsmen on the multi-million dollar recycling company facilitated by Ogun Invest, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, the Managing Director of Hinckley Recycling, Adrian Clews, said the company would come to Ogun with the latest technology in electronic waste recycling.
Clew explained that thousands of jobs would be created for aggregators and others, while the environment will be made safe from the hazards of lead being used in the manufacturing of batteries.
He stressed that the company would continue to partner with the Ogun State government in its efforts to ensure a green environment, job creation, and technology transfer.
The press briefing was also attended by the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment in Ogun State, Adebola Shofela, his Environment Ministry counterpart, Ola Oresanya and the Special Special Adviser/Deputy Director-General Ogun Invest, Ms Sola Arobieke.
Briefing the Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, in his office earlier, the British High Commissioner, Richard Montgomery, said that when the company becomes operational, it would be the best in Africa.
“My brief visit to this state is about the deal put together for recycling, which is moving out of Lagos State and establishing a new plant here for recycling e-waste. The Ogun Invest and the Director General, Lands, are working to ensure the deal comes off the line, and I am glad to be here to join the final conversation. I think that will bring new technology and new jobs to the state.
“The battery we will be manufacturing in Ogun State will be the first of its kind in Africa, and we will make the state the leader in battery recycling in Africa.
“For the first time, it is now possible to recycle the cell back into chemical form in Africa and export the black mass, which contains the minerals inside the battery, to make new batteries.
“It is really exciting that we received support from Ogun Invest, and officials from the Bureau of Lands confirmed the Certificate of Occupancy. We can say that the investment will be about five million dollars, and we want Ogun State to be the place where this industry can grow,” the High Commissioner said.
Responding, Governor Abiodun acknowledged the relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, said the state has benefitted from the training of its staff, especially those managing the state transport system.
He said: “We are open for business. Our administration has made the environment attractive. We have reduced bureaucratic bottlenecks to the barest minimum. We have made land acquisition seamless for investors. We have grown our economy.
“Ogun State is effective and forward-thinking. I want to thank the High Commissioner for the support we have enjoyed from the British Foreign Office”.
