VZCZCXRO8257
PP RUEHMA RUEHPA
DE RUEHUJA #2064/01 2911416
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 171416Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY ABUJA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4218
INFO RUEHOS/AMCONSUL LAGOS 0098
RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 ABUJA 002064 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR OES/ENV FOR PRATHER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV ENRG ECON TRGY KRVC TPHY NI
SUBJECT: NIGERIA: U.S. EPA SUPPORT FOR LANDFILL METHANE RECOVERY 
 
¶1. Summary:  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) 
Landfill Methane Outreach Program Manager, Swarupa Ganguli, attended 
the International Renewable Energy Conference (IREC) from October 
6-9 in Abuja.  She delivered a presentation on "Landfill Gas to 
Energy Experience in the U.S. and other Countries," and visited the 
EPA's Methane to Market (M2M) Partnership Program projects in Abuja. 
 (Note:  Nigeria is the only M2M partner country in Africa.  End 
Note).  EPA inventory assistance has provided Abuja city officials 
with useful information to better manage the city's dump sites, 
advance energy security, and mitigate adverse environmental and 
health impacts.  The ensuing U.S.-Nigeria collaboration may lead to 
involvement by U.S. companies in methane gas recovery and 
utilization for energy generation.  End Summary. 
. 
IREC 
---- 
. 
¶2. Ganguli highlighted the objectives and benefits of the M2M 
program, which is to recover and use landfill methane for power 
generation, thereby advancing energy security and economic growth 
while improving local air quality and public health.  She not only 
outlined the scientific, technical, and logistical steps involved in 
establishing a successful methane to market program, but also 
discussed current USG assistance efforts with Nigeria.  The Managing 
Director of the Lagos West Management Authority (LWMA), who attended 
the same conference, noted that waste management and associated 
environmental concerns cause significant challenges and 
opportunities in Nigeria, particularly in the major population 
centers such as Lagos, where an estimated 18 million people live. 
According to Ganguli, the EPA has funded the first inventory of 
Nigerian dumpsites in order to evaluate the potential for methane 
gas recovery and utilization for energy generation.  The dump sites 
are Mpape, Gosa, Ajata, and Kubwa in the Abuja area and Olushosun 
and Abul Egba in the Lagos area.  Based on these initial 
assessments, Ganguli commented that Mpapa is seen as a possible 
candidate for a further feasibility study.  She reported that in 
late September, the EPA granted a local Nigerian NGO $90,000 to 
conduct further studies at Mpapa and other sites. 
. 
Mpape: Potential Site for Methane Recovery 
------------------------------------------ 
. 
¶3. On October 7, 2008 ESTHOff accompanied Ganguli and the director 
of a local environmental NGO on a site visit to the Mpape landfill 
located at the outskirts of Abuja.  The site was opened in 1989 and 
closed in 2005 after it ran out of space.  Engineer Hassan 
Dogon-Daji, the Director of Waste Management for the Abuja 
Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), provided a tour of the site 
and an adjoining transit center, which is under construction. 
According to Dogon-Daji, the Mpape landfill was an abandoned quarry 
before it was turned into a landfill, but it had not been proper 
lined to protect against toxic seepage. 
 
¶4. The team noted that decomposing buried waste is visibly producing 
leachate, which is collecting in a pond nearby and likely seeping 
into and polluting the groundwater and a nearby stream.  Many of the 
nearby residents rely on this same groundwater.  According to 
Dogon-Daji, although samples were collected and sent six months ago 
to the Abuja Water Board for testing, results are still unavailable. 
 As an interim measure, ESTHOff suggested periodic collection and 
transportation of the leachate for treatment at the city's water 
treatment plant, which Dogon-Daji promised to facilitate.  The team 
also observed gas bubbling through cracks in the ground, a possible 
sign of ongoing methane generation. 
 
. 
Gosa: Abuja's New Dumpsite 
-------------------------- 
. 
¶5. After the closure of the Mpape dumpsite in 2005, Abuja city 
officials opened a new 90 hectares dumpsite in Gosa, an hour's drive 
from the city.  Dogon-Daji reported that Abuja city has developed a 
plan for converting this facility into a proper sanitary landfill. 
(Note: The plan has yet to be funded by the federal government 
before it can be implemented.  End Note).  The city plans to use 
Mpape as a waste sorting and processing facility before final 
transport to Gosa.  In addition, under the plan, the city will 
introduce proper trash sorting at the source, starting with major 
businesses, governmental facilities and eventually moving to 
individual homes. 
. 
Comment 
------- 
. 
¶6. Ganguli's participation in the IREC showcased USG assistance in 
tackling waste management problems and mitigating the associated 
environmental and health ramifications.  EPA inventory assistance 
has provided Abuja city officials with useful information for better 
managing the city's dumpsites and mitigating their adverse 
environmental and health impact.  There may be future additional 
 
ABUJA 00002064  002 OF 002 
 
 
opportunities for U.S. companies to engage in methane gas recovery 
and energy generation in both Abuja and Lagos. 
 
¶7. Ganguli did not clear this cable before departing. 
 
¶8. This cable was coordinated with Consulate Lagos. 
 
SANDERS