The National Environmental Standards Regulation and Enforcement Agency (NESREA), has  reiterated its resolve not to allow Nigeria to be a  dumping ground for   electrical and electronic waste by foreign nations.

Dr Ngeri Benebo, Director–General of the agency gave the assurance at the second Expert Critique Meeting on the Draft National Environmental Electrical and Electronic Sector Regulations in Abuja

“Nigeria will not be used as dumping ground, we will ensure that adequate regulations are put in place to check against this menace, the developed world is ready and willing to cooperate and partner with Nigeria on this issue”.

“We have received alerts from developed countries on e-waste to be dumped into Nigeria, because Nigeria is part of the global movement against e-waste,’’ she stressed.

According to her, the principal thrust of the regulations is to prevent and minimise pollution, adding that, “they have been divided into various parts with a view to  covering the issues at stake from cradle to grave”. She stated that the draft regulations had undergone first expert critique and review, pointing out that the corrected draft had been further reviewed at the state level by the Federal Ministry of Environment.

Benebo, however, said that NESREA would ensure the harmonisation of the new regulations to accommodate states, ministries and other relevant agencies, to guide against movement of toxic wastes in and out of the country.

She stated that Nigeria succeeded in sending back shipments containing e-waste back to its port of entry, because of the network coupled with effective security alert in the country.

The resource person for the review of the draft regulation, Mr Herve Guilcher, from the Office of Hewlett Packard (HP) for Europe and Africa, described e-waste in Africa as a serious issue demanding a serious solution.

He said that e-waste was not as bad as people thought, adding that, “it can be a source of revenue for the informal sector”.

Chief Emeka Dike, President, Alaba International Market Traders Association (AIMTA), called on the government to reduce tariff on imported goods, to enable traders dump importation of e-waste in preference for importation of new electronic and electrical goods.

He argued that reduction of tariff on importation of electrical and electronic goods would check the influx of used electrical and electronic wastes into the country.

“We are ready to comply so long as the legislation will not affect our business and environment, we will key into it,’’ he assured.