Our city – our future!
28/05/2010 10:59
Interview of Mr Zakir Ibrahimov, Chairman of the Executive Board of “Tamiz Shahar” JSC with “Business Time” magazine
2010 declared the Year of Ecology in Azerbaijan. It will be marked with large-scale events in the field of ecology. Concrete investments related to the treatment of wastewater in Azerbaijan is planned to put by means of bringing the solid household and hazardous waste management system into compliance with the modern requirements, gardening of the territory of the country, preventing the pollution of the Caspian Sea. The concrete measures are being taken for improvement of the environmental situation.
Reference: “Tamiz Shahar” JSC has been established on September 28, 2006 within the frame of implementation of “Complex Plan of Measures (2006-2010) On Improvement of Ecological Situation in the Republic of Azerbaijan” in accordance with the Decree as of August 6, 2008 “On Improvement of Municipal Waste Management in Baku city” of the President of Republic of Azerbaijan. According to the said Decree “Tamiz Shahar” JSC was entrusted with the function of management, placement and utilization of municipal wastes in accordance with modern standards, carrying out this process in an organized manner, as well as improvement of environmental situation of the city and development of this field based on the principles of market economy.
The Chief of Executive Board Mr. Zakir Ibrahimov said in his interview with Business Times Journal that the complex measures were taken toward the improvement of environmental situation in Baku city in the field of solid waste management.
– Since, the Government of Azerbaijan and French CNIM S.A. company in December 2008 entered into agreement on construction of combustion plant incinerating solid household wastes. What measures have been taken in relation to preparation for the construction of solid waste incineration plant yet?
Upon entering into the agreement the great works have been carried out either from Azerbaijan or contractor party. Topographic and land-planning investigation works have been conducted on 20 hectare area allotted for the construction of the plant. On November 3, 2009 there was held a foundation-laying ceremony of the incineration plant with the participation of the President of the republic Mr. Ilham Aliyev. The construction of plant is carried out in accordance with the work schedule envisaged in the agreement. The design works and construction of the external infrastructure of the plant such as access road, energy supply essential for the operation of the plant have been carried out by the Contractor, and in the nearest future it is planned to supply water and sewage system etc., as well.
The plant will have the capacity to incinerate totally 500 thousand tonnes of solid household wastes per annum consisting of 2 production lines each having the capacity to process 250 thousand tonnes of solid household wastes per annum. However, if necessary the project of the plant enables to put into operation the additional 3rd line and to increase the production capacity up to 750 thousand tonnes. The plant is capable of utilizing medical wastes up to 10 thousand tonnes per annum. As a result of the process of combustion of solid household wastes the plant will generate 231,5 million KW/h electric energy. The main attention is focused on environmental protection in designing, construction and operation of the plant. The plant will meet the highest local and international environmental standards.
– When the plant will be put into operation?
– The plant is planned to put into operation by the end of 2010.
– Please talk a little about the “Integrated Waste Management Project”.
On May 20, 2009 there was signed a loan agreement between the World Bank (WB) and the Ministry of Economic Development on behalf of Azerbaijan. On September 29, 2009 there was held a presentation ceremony of the “Integrated Waste Management Project”. The project on rehabilitation of the Balakhani landfill where solid household wastes generated in the territory of Baku city and Absheron peninsula are deposited at is being implemented within frame of this project. The said project envisages the improvement of collection and utilization of wastes in Absheron peninsula and improvement of ecological situation in this region. The project will be implemented within 5 years, and the total value of the project accounts for US$41,5million which US$29,5 is funded by the World Bank and the remaining amount by the Government of Azerbaijan.
– What are the main targets of the said project?
The main targets of the project includes the development of the strategy itself related to the management of solid household wastes and the measures related to the capacity building of “Tamiz Shahar” JSC, as well as rehabilitation of the Balakhani landfill and elimination its negative effects on the environment. Besides, rehabilitation of other landfills and closure of unauthorized landfills/dump sites, and purchase of equipment needed for collection and transportation of wastes, creation of preliminary and assorting points for preparation of a feasibility study are planned.
I also would like to point out that within the frame of the project the local and foreign experts will work jointly with “Tamiz Shahar” JSC several years.
– Mr. Ibrahimov what works have been done in the field of improvement of environmental situation in the landfill?
– With a view to reducing the negative effects of the Balakani landfill on the environment “Tamiz Shahar” JSC has taken several necessary measures and continues to take.
I also would like to underline that the Balakhani landfill was handed over to the balance of “Tamiz Shahar” JSC and within the short period of time the sources of inflammation were completely liquidated, the smoke coating eliminated, the serious registration system of the bulk of received wastes and the technical personnel and physical persons for access to the territory of the landfill were developed, as well as the most part of internal roads were reconstructed and the square for receipt of wastes and the necessary infrastructure were created. In the nearest future, we are going to initiate the construction of a fence along the all perimeters of the landfill and gardening of the surrounding area. Within the frame of the “Integrated Waste Management Project” the plan of rehabilitation of the landfill will be ready by the beginning of 2011. The surface of non-active field of the landfill will be covered with specific materials preventing the further spread of greenhouse gases to the environment. However, several isolated special sections will be provided either in sub-soil or upper layers in an active field of the landfill. In the first place, it will make possible to prevent mixing of filtrate water originated from decomposition of wastes with ground water and to use as technical water for irrigation purposes through special treatment. Methane gas separated as a result of decomposition of wastes will be drawn through pipes and used for generation of heat or electric energy.
Moreover, the works related to gardening and landscape restorations have also been envisaged. A green protective and new landscaped zone will be planted in place of the landfill. In actuality, a relief of the landfill will be reconstructed and this will undoubtedly have a positive impact on overall the environmental setting. On the whole, all efforts will focus on full restoration of the Balakhani landfill.
“Tamiz Shahar” JSC with a view to attracting the attention of large audiences to the question of utilization of solid household wastes has planned to hold several social actions this year in this respect.
– How do you establish relations with Mass Media and NGO?
– Since the moment of establishment of “Tamiz Shahar” JSC we regularly communicate the information about the works done and to be planned to the community through Mass Media. We focus a special attention to cooperation with various environmental NGO in terms of establishment of correct relations with the community.
In December of the past year, for instance, there was held a meeting with journalists and environmental NGO with the participation of representatives of your journal.
The participants of the meeting were shown a documentary film devoted to the Balakhani landfill shot prior to starting the restoration works. The cadres of the film created a negative impressions on the participants: mountains of wastes piled up at the huge area, it was impossible to look at the sky due to smoke generated from combustion of wastes released into the ambient air; grey air; and a lot of mud everywhere… Upon demonstration of the film we provided the journalist and NGO representatives the opportunity to visit the landfill and become familiar with the works done by us directly on the site. A decision was taken. Our employees replied the questions of journalists and ecologists in place and got acquainted with the current situation of works. The guests were shown the preliminary sorting squares. The residents of the neighbouring settlements were employed as sorters who were independently engaged in the collection of wastes at the territory of the landfill previously. The sorters were provided with all necessary personnel protection equipment. It should also be noted that installation of a special equipment needed for automated assorting of wastes, as well as creation of stations for washing and disinfecting dust carts (garbage trucks) before leaving the territory of the landfill with a view to preventing infectious diseases have been planned for the current. Upon the site visit the ecologists drove through newly reconstructed road where the opposite side of “Boyuk Shor” lake was clearly seen to the deep of the landfill.
– In reality, when seeing the difference between the film shown at the office and the scene we observed in the Balakhani landfill, we were reassured that after a certain time the landfill would become an object supplied with modern equipment the rehabilitated area, and Baku city would become a clean city free from environmental hazards.
– Azerbaijan possesses all the necessary technical and financial resources for prevention and elimination of environmental hazards in the region. Declaring 2010 the Year of Ecology demonstrates a serious attitude toward the existing environmental problems in the country. The operation of “Tamiz Shahar” JSC is the part of policy carried out by the Government of Azerbaijan in the field of environmental protection.
