FG Reaffirms Commitment to Eliminate Hazardous Plastics in Electrical and Electronic Equipment

 

 

 

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating hazardous plastics in Electrical and Electronic Equipment (EEE) products as part of ongoing efforts to promote a circular economy and achieve a Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)-free plastics value chain in Nigeria.

The Honourable Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, gave the assurance during the National Consultative Meeting on the Circular and POPs-Free Plastics Africa Project (GEF ID: 11049), held on Thursday in Abuja.

Represented by the Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Mrs. Omotunde Adeola, the Minister observed that the challenge of plastic pollution is further exacerbated by the presence of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in certain plastic products and waste streams, posing significant risks to human health and the environment.

According to him, “The Federal Ministry of Environment and its agencies remain committed to strengthening chemicals and waste management through the implementation of sound environmental policies, legislation and programmes. As a Party to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, Nigeria will continue to fulfil its international obligations by promoting environmentally sound management practices, strengthening institutional capacity, and supporting initiatives that reduce the release of hazardous chemicals into the environment.”

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor, represented by the Director of Inspection and Enforcement, Dr. Christopher Beka, stated that the consultative meeting would strengthen national policies, enhance the regulation of hazardous chemicals in EEE plastics, and promote innovation and investment in circular business models for the environmentally sound management of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in Nigeria.

 

He noted that “Nigeria is committed to playing a leading role in Africa’s transition towards a circular and non-toxic EEE plastics economy. The recommendations emerging from this consultation should provide a strong technical foundation for national policy reforms, strengthened enforcement mechanisms, and strategic investments that will deliver measurable environmental, economic and social benefits for present and future generations.”

The Circular and POPs-Free Plastics in Africa Project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) through the Basel Convention Coordinating Centre (BCCC), Ibadan, in partnership with the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

The meeting brought together key stakeholders from the electrical and electronic equipment sector, development partners, academia, civil society organisations, and relevant government institutions, including the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB), among others.

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