Environment
FG Develops e-Waste Management Policy
The Federal Ministry of
Environment says it has developed a draft policy and strategic plan on the management of electronic waste (e-waste) in the country.
The Minister of Environment, Mrs Laurentia Mallam, said this in Abuja at the Consultative Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Management of Electrical and Electronic Waste in Nigeria.
Represented by the acting Director, Pollution and Environmental Health Department in the ministry, Mr Abdul-Kazeem Bayero, the Minister said the Federal Government was determined to address the challenge of e-waste.
She said “the Federal Ministry of Environment is determined to avert the environmental hazards of ever increasing toxic heavy metal contained in the electrical/ electronic equipment in our environment. So, far the ministry has developed draft policy, guidelines and strategic plan on the management of e-waste which are all awaiting ratification by relevant stakeholders.”
“Furthermore, regulations on the management of e-waste have been prepared by the National Environmental Standard Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), which has been approved and are in force,” the Minister added.
“Federal Executive Council has restricted the importation of the e-waste into the country because of the hazardous components of e-waste and lack of capacity to manage it an environmental sound manner by the informal sector,“ she stated.
The minister said that Nigeria was a signatory to international conventions and agreements that address chemical management issue.
She said that the instruments were responsible for global success in the management of hazardous waste in everyday life.
According to her, electronic and information technology industry is the largest and fastest growing industry in today’s manufacturing world.
“This industry thrives on rapid technology changes, which lead to accelerated discards of older models. “The discarded older models called e-waste, form a rapidly growing waste stream in the world, with the attendant negative environmental and health impacts. “These e-wastes find their way through legal and illegal imports into countries in Asia and Africa such as Nigeria,” she stated.
“The challenge of complying with stringent environmental safeguards and controls in developing countries; and the economic costs in the developed countries are responsible for adoption of the easier option of exporting e-wastes to developing countries.
“Consequently, most of these e-wastes are shipped to African countries under the guise of second hand or near-end- of life equipment, either as gifts or illegally through the ports,“ she added.
In his address, the Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Abdu Bulama, said that electronic waste could have been described as loosely discarded, surplus, obsolete, or broken electrical or electronic devices.
The Ministry of Environment on Thursday in Abuja, advanced its National Adaptation Plan (NAP) process, validating a comprehensive plan aimed at tackling climate-related challenges in the country.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Alhaji Mahmud Kambari, said this at the Stakeholders Consultative Workshop on the Development of the concept notes to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) for NAP in Nigeria.
Kambari, who was represented by Mrs Victoria Pwol, the Deputy Director in the Department of Climate Change (DCC) in the ministry, said that the workshop is a collective resolve to confront the realities of climate change with purpose, strategy, and coordinated action.
“Over the past years, the Federal Government of Nigeria, with crucial support from the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), has made significant progress in advancing the NAP process.
“As a nation, we stand at a critical juncture where climate risks ranging from extreme weather events to environmental degradation continues to threaten our socio-economic stability, food systems, public health, infrastructure, and national development aspirations.
“Through extensive technical work, we have completed a Climate Risk Assessment across all geopolitical and agro-ecological zones, developed an Economic Appraisal, an Adaptation Finance Strategy, and a robust Monitoring and Evaluation Framework.”
Kambari said that these foundational elements now guide Nigeria to identify priority adaptation needs and investment opportunities.
“Let me mention that we are at the tail end of this NAP Formulation Process and looking forward to the implementation phase.
“This workshop therefore serves as a strategic purpose to harmonise perspectives across key MDAs; refine project ideas into strong, evidence-based concept notes.
“It will ensure that proposed interventions align with national priorities and the investment criteria of the GCF and position Nigeria to competitively access the resources required to strengthen resilience across vulnerable sectors,” he said.
Dr Iniobong Abiola-Awe, the Director DCC in the Ministry said that the engagement would enhance achievements by collaboratively developing bankable, climate-resilient concept notes that align with national priorities and meet the GCF’s investment requirements.
Abiola-Awe who was represented by Dr Jonah Barde in the Ministry said that the workshop represented an important step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen climate resilience.
She added that the workshop would advance sustainable development, and mobilise the climate finance needed to safeguard Nigeria’s communities, ecosystems, and economy from the growing impacts of climate change.
Effective communication, transparency, and science-based risk assessments are the cornerstones of Nigeria’s approach to Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).
Mr Bello Bwari, the Director-General, National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), gave the assurance during a media interaction in Abuja on Friday.
“Where there is communication, you reduce conflict. Effective communication is key, effective engagement with stakeholders is paramount and key to making Nigeria better.
Bwari said anti GMO’s critics keep participants and practitioners on their toes.
“We value them and we expect that their criticisms, suggestions and recommendations will make our operations in the entire spectrum better.
“Where we are not doing so well, we will hear from them, where we can advance explanations, we will advance explanations. Where they are not doing well, we will tell them. We will not run away from doing that.
“But I want to assure you that we are bold enough to face anybody who is not fact-based,” he said.
He reassured that sometime before the end of the second quarter of 2026 there would be a retreat where all stakeholders would be invited.
“And also, the impact we are bringing is going to be measurable by the end of 2026. And going forward, what we do by the end of 2026 will form the basis of our five-year plan.
“There’s a five-year plan which will start at the end of 2026. So, I enjoin the media to please report what you know as a matter of fact, not as a matter of opinion.
“We all have different opinions, but some of our opinions are not facts. From the quality of what I see on papers, reportage, I think largely I’m impressed with what the press is doing in Nigeria so far,” he said.
Bwari stated that Nigerians deserved to understand what NBMA regulates, why they regulate it, and how decisions were made.
“Part of my focus going forward will be strengthening engagement with the media, researchers, policymakers, and the public because regulation works best when it is understood.
“We are not promoters of any technology, and we are not opponents of innovation. We are regulators.
“But at its core, biosafety is about prevention, caution, and preparedness. It is about ensuring that innovation does not outpace safety, and that national development never compromises public health or environmental integrity,” he said.
He promised to uphold the law without fear or favour, communicate more clearly with the public and ensure that every regulatory decision was transparent, evidence-based, and accountable
“NBMA is not an advocacy agency. Our duty is to assess risks, enforce safeguards, and ensure compliance with national and international biosafety standards.I also want to emphasise that public trust matters.
He further urged the media to help Nigerians understand biosafety and biosecurity in a better way.
-
Sports4 days agoArsenal Women End Man City’s Invincibility
-
Sports4 days agoU-20 WWC: Falconets claim qualifier win
-
Sports4 days agoInsurance Deepen Enyimba’s Trouble
-
Sports4 days agoYouth Olympics preparation Gears up
-
Sports4 days agoCologne Youth Team Set Crowd Record
-
Sports5 days agoTornadoes Set For NPFL exit over Stadium Ban
-
Sports4 days agoBarca Pull Out Of Super League Project
-
Sports4 days agoPalmer Stars As Chelsea Compound Wolves Woes