Professor Rafiu Olasunkanmi Yusuf, of the University of Ilorin, has charged the Kwara State government to revisit the design for the construction of an integrated solid waste management facility created by the previous administration of former Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed.
The design was executed by CIWAT engineers for the construction of the facility for Ilorin with Gbagede in the outskirts of the state capital chosen as the site for the proposed facility.
Delivering the 286th inaugural lecture of the institution in Ilorin on Thursday, Professor Rafiu, explained that “this will go a long way in reducing the reckless dumping of wastes all over the capital city of Ilorin.
“The factors considered then remain the same except the increase in population with the attendant increase in amount of waste generation.”
In the lecture titled “Waste Steams and Emissions Management for Sustainable Development,” Professor Rafiu of the Department of Chemical Engineering, in the Faculty of Engineering, identified some key challenges facing the field of environmental engineering in waste management.
He said one of the most significant challenges is funding constraints.
According to him, “government and the private sector should be ready to fund large-scale research projects, pilot studies and the implementation of waste-to- energy technologies.”
Professor Rafiu, said technological barriers also pose a significant challenge in his research field.
He said infrastructures should be provided to hasten the implementation of cutting edge technologies, such as advanced biomediation techniques or energy recovery systems which often require substantial infrastructure and technical expertise.
Professor Rafiu urged that mechanism for enforcing environmental regulations should be strengthened as enforcement remains inconsistent and policies often lag behind technological developments.
He argued that the regulatory gap could undermine efforts to implement sustainable waste management and emissions reduction practices, particularly in the industrial and energy sectors.
Professor Rafiu, urged students, early-career researchers, and fellow academics of the institution to engage boldly with the
transformative potential of environmental engineering.
According to him, “the challenges we face-climate change, pollution, and resource depletion-are undeniably complex, but they also present unparalleled opportunities for innovation and progress.
“I urge you to re-imagine waste management, energy production by collaborating across disciplines, and contribute to building a more sustainable future.
“You must remember that science and engineering are fundamental tools for solving technical problems-they are instruments for building a better world. Join this mission. Push boundaries. Be the generation that delivers lasting, positive change,” he further charged.
Revisit design for waste management facility in Kwara State – Don to state govt
