The Edo State Government, through the State’s Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (Edo NEWMAP) will showcase its novel waste-to-wealth initiative, e-TRASH to eliminate plastic and aluminum waste and protect the environment at the official launch of the State’s Flood, Erosion, and Watershed Management Agency (EdoFEWMA), scheduled to take place in Benin City.

Edo FEWMA was set up by Governor Godwin Obaseki to sustain the gains recorded by this administration through Edo NEWMAP, which came to a close in mid-2022 after a ten-year impactful period in the State, as part of renewed efforts to reduce vulnerability to flood and erosion in Edo State via prevention and rehabilitation.

Speaking to journalists in Benin City, the Project Coordinator, Edo NEWMAP and Chief Executive Officer, Edo FEWMA, Dr. Tom Obaseki, said the e-Trash, anchored on an App called PikAmSel will enhance the government’s efforts at protecting the state’s critical stormwater infrastructure, the environment and natural resources, as well as the health and wellbeing of Edo people.

According to him, “The Edo NEWMAP has developed a new technology, e-Trash to address the menace of plastic and aluminum can wastes that pose serious floods and drainage problems and constitute an immense threat to the functionality of stormwater infrastructure, moats and other drainage systems.

“The eTRASH, which stands for Electronic Transaction in waste Resources for ALL users and Household is the first of its kind in Nigeria and utilizes innovative technology in protecting the environment.

“It involves working with all stakeholders in the entire waste-to-wealth value chain to eliminate plastic and aluminum wastes from our environment in order to protect our critical stormwater infrastructure, the environment, natural resources, and the health and wellbeing of the people.”

He further stated, “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 eTRASH, is a scheme that seeks to reduce littering and indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste by individuals and communities in the State. It is flexible and adaptable to cover State-wide and national deployment.”

“This novel initiative among others developed by the World Bank-assisted NEWMAP project aimed at tackling flood and erosion, and ensuring environmental sustainability will be showcased at the official launching of EdoFEWMA which will be graced by the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, in Benin City,” the Project Coordinator added.

To access the platform, Dr. Tom Obaseki said, “You can download the app, Pikamsel 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 e-TRASH redemption centre or agent, usually within your neighborhood.

“Take your already segregated plastic waste or aluminum cans to a redemption centre 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 will then wait for a maximum of 2 days to have value for your points after the weight has been confirmed. You can decide to redeem your points for cash, airtime, and gifts which are also convertible to a 3rd party.”