The Federal Government is taking steps to stop indiscriminate disposal of battery waste, spurring the enforcement of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulation, to forestall environment degradation.
The National Environmental Standards Regulation Enforcement Agency (NESREA), during its Regulatory Dialogue on the National Environmental (Battery Control) 2024, held on Wednesday, November 20, in Lagos, said that it was set to administer the control.
The dialogue, aimed at equipping regulatory officials on the regulatory frameworks and sanctions, was attended by the states officials of the agency.
It was also to keep them abreast of regulatory stance to aid scientific battery waste disposal, which is essential to foster a lead-free environment to sustain life and protect the ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Mr Balarabe Abbas-Lawal, said that the session was to address critical aspects of the National Environmental Battery Control Act.
The minister, represented by the Federal Controller, Environment, Zonal Director South-West, Mrs Olabimpe Oladini-Adenike, said that it would focus on compliance, monitoring and enforcement.
According to him, the session is essential for strengthening the management of used batteries within the framework of the extended producer responsibility programme.
“The development of regulatory framework such as this underscores the ministry of environment’s commitments to safeguard public health and promote ecological balance.
“The proper management of used batteries is essential to prevent environmental contamination and mitigate the harmful effects of associated harmful effects.
“The session will not only emphasise the importance of aligning national policies with global best practices, but also seek to foster collaboration among all stakeholders, the NGOs, the organised private sector, and the regulatory agencies,” he said.
Addressing participants at the event, the Director-General of NESREA, Dr Innocent Barikor, said that the programme was organised by NESREA in collaboration with the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ- Nigeria).
According to the DG, it is a crucial step toward ensuring the effective implementation of the regulations to address the environmental and health challenges posed by the improper management of used batteries in Nigeria.
“The development of the regulation commenced in 2020 due to the public outcry on the crude handling of Used Lead Acid Batteries (ULABs) in the country.
“The activities of the sector has drawn the attention of government to address the concerns by developing the Legal Framework that will regulate improper handling of the ULABs.
“The agency, in August, partnered with the Federal Ministry of Environment, other key stakeholders and with support from GIZ Nigeria, inaugurated the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations, 2024.
“The regulations provide a comprehensive legal framework for the environmentally sound management of all types of batteries across their life cycle,” he said.
The NESREA boss decried the imminent danger that unregulated battery waste disposal posed to the ecosystem, saying that the proactive enforcement of the actionable framework would prevent and minimise pollution and waste arising from used batteries.
According to him, the real impact of any regulatory framework lies in its effective implementation and enforcement.
He urged officials to treat it with the urgency it deserved to protect human existence.
EPR is a concept that confers the responsibility of proper battery waste disposal throughout its life circle on the producer, importer and user; it is a chain of mutual responsibility.
By Uchenna Eletuo
