The British government gave a seal of approval for more foreign investments in Lagos, as plans get underway for the first waste to energy plant in the state.

The British Deputy High Commissioner in Nigeria, Ben Llewellyn Jones, gave the official nod over the weekend when he spoke at the Igando dumpsite after a guided tour of the West African ENRG, led by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tunji Bello.

“Though some people think about Nigeria and investments and look the other way, we say ‘look this way.’ We will help you, and it is a real opportunity here as it is being demonstrated today and even opportunities to grow beyond even what is being achieved now, which is so fantastic,” said Mr. Jones.

He added, “It is absolutely outstanding what is being achieved using British technology, finance, and real great Nigerian drive and expertise to create something special that is really going to grow and grow.”

The diplomat reiterated that pollution, the challenge of drainage, and plastics getting into the drains cropped up at the site but are being solved by the West African ENRG waste conversion facility.

Mr. Bello, in response, said, “There were some intervals of difficulties, that we have now successfully overcome. Now, we have been able to restore all that they started with. They have also improved a lot of things. You must have observed during the inspection today, a lot of conversion processes from waste to plastics, rubber, cans, and bottles.

“Lagos has always been a Mecca of investments. What we just need to do is to make sure that infrastructural developments are accelerated, and substantial progress is being made in that regard. We have roads, water, and other infrastructural facilities ready.”