Nigeria: DMT Mobile Toilets to produce gas from human waste

DMT Mobile Toilet's motto

DMT Mobile Toilets, has unveiled a programme [to] generate at least 35 per cent gas for domestic use and electricity from human and animal waste for the Lagos mega city project [in 2009]. The mega city project is jointly being promoted by the Federal Government, Lagos and Ogun State governments.

According to the Chairman of DMT Mobile Toilets, Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, the biogas plant is designed to process and convert sanitation waste into cooking gas and other gases that could be used to generate electricity at its site on the Lagos-Ibadan Experssway.

[…] The plant, which was developed with technical assistance from DMT‘s foreign partner, Environmental Resource Management Foundation, will commence production in 2009. [R]aw materials for the plant would be sourced from DMT’s mobile toilets, abattoirs and septic tanks.

[T]he plant would power a housing estate near it on an experimental basis.

Former bodyguard, DMT founder Isaac Durojaiye

[DMT plans to introduce] six new designs […] within the first quarter of 2009 that will incorporate overhead 300-litre tanks, solar lighting and air freshener dispensers. Plastic will also replace ceramic toilet fittings to prevent breakages and to act as an added safety measure, especially in schools.

[DMT runs a] Basic Toilet for Schools Scheme through which schools [are] offered mobile toilets at special discounts. The company had earlier donated 100 toilets to public schools in Lagos and Ogun states.

DMT stands for Dignified Mobile Toilets.  At the beginning of 2008, DMT founder and Managing Director, Isaac Durojaiye, was one of five Ashoka-Lemelson Fellows, who were recognised for developing innovative sanitation business models.

See a Sept 2008 Reuters video on DMT here.

Source: Akinpelu Dada, The Punch, 22 Dec 2008