LUSAKA, Jan. 1 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese firm has begun talks with authorities in Lusaka, the Zambian capital, on the possibility of setting up a plant that will turn waste into energy, an official said on Wednesday.
A delegation from V-Flow Group of Companies was in the country to discuss with authorities from the Lusaka City Council (LCC) on the possibility of setting up a waste to energy plant, according to a release from the city authorities.
Kingston Wen, Chairman of the Chinese firm, said turning waste into other reusable products was the ultimate solution to waste management challenges and that recycling waste to energy had helped China to solve waste management problems.
He said China faced similar challenges Zambia was currently facing but that the use of technology had completely solved the problem.
He however said setting up a waste management plant in the Zambian capital may not be profitable in the initial stages and that the firm was seeking incentives from the authorities such as free land to encourage the investment.
Jonas Shakafuswa, Deputy Mayor of the Zambian capital said the city authorities were eager to find a lasting solution to solid waste management challenges the city was currently facing.
According to him, waste management in the city still remained a challenge despite the systems put in place by authorities.
He told the Chinese delegation that the idea of setting up a waste energy plant would not only mitigate waste management challenges but would also contribute to mitigate electricity shortages.
"We are eager to find a complete solution to waste management in the city and therefore any well-meaning partner is welcome. Setting up waste to energy plant here will not only mitigate solid waste challenges but also those of power deficit the country is facing," he said.
