By Joy Baba-Yesufu
The Director General (DG) National Environmental Standards and Regulations Agency (NESREA), Dr. Innocent Barikor has said improper handling of batteries pose severe environmental and health challenges to the populace adding that the informal sector which often handles waste batteries without proper formal regulation by way of governance, significantly contributes to environmental pollution, on the soil, air and water.
He also said environmental governance is a major mechanism used at all levels, Globally, Regionally and Nationally by various regions, sub-regions and nations to help address diverse environmental problems to which Nigeria is no exception.
Dr. Barikorstated this on Thursday in Abuja at the launching of the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations for Civil Society Organisations and Press.
He said the Federal Government through NESREA recently launched the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations, 2024 as an apparatus for environmental compliance monitoring and enforcement in the Battery Sector of the Nigeria economy.
According to him “the National Battery Regulation is a comprehensive and an all-encompassing environmental tool for all sector stakeholders for the promotion of environmental sustainability in Nigeria. The Regulation specifically tackles the challenges posed by informal recyclers and unregulated battery collection, recycling and disposal practices and seeks to formalize the battery recycling sector, promote safe disposal methods, minimize environmental pollution and promote the implementation of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programme for the battery sector in Nigeria.
“The EPR Programme mandates that producers take responsibility for the entire life cycle of their products as well as mandating producers, collectors and recyclers to work with the relevant Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO).
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Alliance for Responsible Battery Recycling (ARBR) Mrs. Miranda Amachree said the importance of environmental regulations and standards for any sector is very critical as it provides the legal basis for the protection of the environment and health for the citizenry including workers.
Amachree said that regulation alone is not enough noting that effective compliance with the regulations and monitoring depends on the active participation and cooperation of all stakeholders’ industry leaders, civil society organizations, government agencies, and the public
She said “we are aware that Batteries contain both valuable and hazardous materials, while harnessing the value, hazardous waste is discharged to pollute our environment and the health of workers if not properly managed.
“A lot of health issues are attributed to exposure, to lead and other heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury contained in waste batteries. Heavy metal exposure has been linked to a range of health effects including neurological disorders, Cardiovascular disease (CVD), renal dysfunction, and carcinogenesis. Lead exposure are known to cause anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs”.
Project Coordinator, Heinrich Boll Stiftung, Ikenna Donald said this regulation is also a big investment opportunity adding investors will not come in where there are no regulations since regulation and policies are protection.
“This is a big and huge opportunity for Nigeria in terms of investment, in terms of opening up the value chain. A lot of people would go into transportation, storage and collection of used battery The most important places where these thigs will show if we don’t respond is in our health record. Doing the right thing can be expensive but is going to sustain and keep all of us” he noted.
