By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
The National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has formally designated the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of Nigeria (REDIN) as a Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for the Motor Vehicle and Miscellaneous Assembly Sector, in a move aimed at strengthening the management of end-of-life vehicles and automotive waste in Nigeria.
The designation, which was marked by the presentation of an accreditation certificate and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NESREA and REDIN, is expected to support a more organised and environmentally responsible system for collecting, dismantling, recycling and recovering materials from vehicles that have reached the end of their useful lives.
Speaking at the ceremony recently in Abuja , Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of NESREA, Innocent Barikor, said the recognition of REDIN represented an important step towards strengthening the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in Nigeria’s automotive sector.
Barikor noted that the growing number of vehicles reaching the end of their useful life posed environmental challenges requiring an organised and accountable management system.
According to him, end-of-life vehicles contain valuable materials that can be recovered and returned to productive use, while hazardous components, if improperly handled, could contaminate land and water and expose workers and communities to environmental and health risks.
He said the EPR framework places responsibility on producers and other actors within the value chain to support environmentally sound management of products at the end of their useful life.
The NESREA boss said REDIN, as a PRO, would serve as a coordinating platform within the EPR system by working with producers and relevant stakeholders to facilitate the collection, tracking, recovery and environmentally sound management of designated automotive waste streams.
He, however, charged the organisation to operate transparently and accountably, stressing that its accreditation came with significant responsibilities.
Barikor said NESREA would maintain regulatory oversight through approval of relevant EPR plans and frameworks, compliance monitoring, inspection and enforcement.
He added that REDIN would also be expected to maintain effective systems for producer registration, data management, reporting, financial accountability and engagement of environmentally compliant collectors, dismantlers and recyclers.
The REDIN Executive Secretary and Chief Responsibility Officer, Dr. Fyneray Mbata, described the accreditation as the beginning of a new chapter in Nigeria’s drive towards responsible automotive waste management, resource recovery and a circular economy.
Mbata said REDIN would work within the regulatory framework established by the Federal Government and under NESREA’s guidance and oversight to promote compliance among vehicle producers and stakeholders.
He said the organisation would support the transition from an informal and fragmented automotive waste system to one that is organised, transparent, traceable, inclusive and environmentally responsible.
According to him, end-of-life vehicles should not merely be regarded as discarded materials but as recoverable resources requiring proper collection, depollution, dismantling, recycling, recovery and environmentally sound final disposal.
Mbata further said a properly structured automotive recycling ecosystem could create jobs, attract investment, support local manufacturing, reduce dependence on virgin raw materials and stimulate innovation.
He also linked improved automotive waste management to the reduction of public health risks associated with abandoned vehicles, emissions, indiscriminate dumping, uncontrolled burning and improper handling of hazardous automotive components.
Both organisations emphasised collaboration among government, producers, regulators, recyclers and other stakeholders as critical to achieving an effective automotive Extended Producer Responsibility system.
NESREA said it would continue working with REDIN, the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), producers, recyclers and other stakeholders to ensure clear roles and effective implementation of the EPR programme.
The initiative is ultimately aimed at building an automotive waste management system that combines environmental protection with resource recovery, recycling, compliance, investment and job creation.
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