Business
Nigeria, Not e-Waste Dump – NESREA
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.
Business
NAFDAC Decries Circulation Of Prohibited Food Items In markets …….Orders Vendors’ Immediate Cessation Of Dealings With Products
Importers, market traders, and supermarket operators have therefore, been directed to immediately cease all dealings in these items and to notify their supply chain partners to halt transactions involving prohibited products.
The agency emphasized that failure to comply will attract strict enforcement measures, including seizure and destruction of goods, suspension or revocation of operational licences, and prosecution under relevant laws.
The statement said “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has raised an alarm over the growing incidence of smuggling, sale, and distribution of regulated food products such as pasta, noodles, sugar, and tomato paste currently found in markets across the country.
“These products are expressly listed on the Federal Government’s Customs Prohibition List and are not permitted for importation”.
NAFDAC also called on other government bodies, including the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service(NIS) Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Shippers Council, and the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS), to collaborate in enforcing the ban on these unsafe products.
